Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), in partnership with Motivation Charitable Trust (MCT), AIC Kajiado, AIC Litein Hospital, and the AIC Kajiado Child Care Centre, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, launched the second phase of the Wheelchair Project, building on the lessons and success of the initial phase which achieved significant milestones in the rehabilitation of persons with physical disabilities.
The first three-year phase, which concluded in January 2025, reached 679 beneficiaries from Kajiado, Baringo, Voi, Nairobi, and Kiambu counties, providing them with appropriate wheelchairs at a subsidized cost.
During this period, the project also achieved several key milestones, including the integration of the World Health Organization (WHO) wheelchair training package into JKUAT’s Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Medical Social Work degree curricula. It also saw the establishment of a Wheelchair Service and Learning Centre, where JKUAT students have gained valuable hands-on skills.
In addition, the initiative facilitated the training of managers and referral actors who connect persons in need with wheelchair services, as well as artisans responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Speaking during the launch at JKUAT Main Campus, Juja, Mr. Jacob Kitiyo, Regional Head of Programmes at Motivation Charitable Trust (MCT), stated that the second phase of the project, running from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2028, aims to strengthen and institutionalize the model service by addressing gaps identified in phase one, thereby promoting sustainability in both skilled personnel development and service delivery.
“Among the gaps identified were high demand for services, the need for peer support for new wheelchair users to address psychosocial needs, and the importance of empowering parents and caregivers. Although community artisans had been trained, there remained a gap in maintenance services,” explained Mr. Kitiyo.
The project will work closely with the Ministry of Social Protection to ensure sustainability through vocational training centres, integration of private sector partners, and engagement with key stakeholders, particularly the government
Mr. Kitiyo also noted that the project will now include students from pharmacy and medicine programs, train more peer trainers, hold conferences for wheelchair users, conduct research on the impact of peer training, and provide support for family caregivers.
Dr. Wallace Karuguti, Chairman of the Rehabilitation Science Department, acknowledged that training students is critical for sustainability. He welcomed the new collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Labour and Social Protection, emphasizing that social protection is a vital pillar of the project.
Dr. Karuguti also expressed anticipation for a stakeholders’ conference that will enable nationwide needs mapping, ensuring equitable distribution of wheelchairs, stressing the importance of engaging communities in the process.
The launch was attended by representatives from two key government Ministries, as well as Bethany Kids International, Mbagathi Hospital, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), A.I.C. Kajiado, A.I.C Litein and National Council for Persons with Disability.
Mr. Ronald Wauda, from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, commended the visionary project, noting that it aligns with the Ministry’s 2025 policy and the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025. Both initiatives emphasize inclusive development, accountability, and community-based services at the county level, where the ministry is currently upgrading 12 rehabilitation centres.
Ms. Anne Marimbet from the Ministry of Health highlighted the need for clear guidelines to standardize wheelchair provision, noting that misuse is common and duplication must be avoided through a centralized database. She added that the ministry is making progress by training rehabilitation professionals across all 47 counties and encouraging other institutions to incorporate the wheelchair training module, ensuring no cadre of professionals is left behind.
Ms. Marimbet also emphasized the importance of innovation, suggesting the development of foldable wheelchairs for intermediate users and greater diversity in the market. She raised concerns about managing unused wheelchairs, noting that reuse should only be recommended by a qualified fitter. She praised the project’s follow-up component, which ensures resources are effectively utilized and accounted for, a practice she noted is often missing in other healthcare initiatives.
The project led by Dr. Mwangi Matheri from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences will be implemented in Nairobi metropolitan, Kericho, and Kajiado Counties and seeks to further enhance mobility, dignity, and independence among persons with disabilities.
