JKUAT and Partners Drive Local Manufacturing of Rough Terrain Wheelchairs

Kenya is making significant strides towards the local production and manufacturing of wheelchairs suitable for Africa’s predominantly rough terrain in a bid to strengthen inclusive mobility solutions. This is courtesy of an initiative dubbed Made AT Kenya spearheaded by Motivation Africa in collaboration with various international and local stakeholders among them Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The initiative, which is in its final stages of actualization has been informed by a rigorous research and product development process that began in 2021. This was conducted by Move on Afrika and enabled project teams to continuously refine the wheelchair design based on user testing and stakeholder feedback. The study findings were presented by Ms. Tinaye Agoro during a validation workshop held at JKUAT on Friday, January 19, 2026. The event saw stakeholders review, validate, and collectively reflect on the study’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations; besides identifying priority learning and action areas that would strengthen the sustainability of the initiative. Speaking during the workshop, Mr Jacob Kitiyo of Motivation Africa explained that while many types of wheelchairs exist globally, the project deliberately narrowed its focus to a design that is both suitable for rough terrain and can be produced using locally available raw materials. The wheelchair, named Imara, was designed by engineers at Motivation Africa and prototyped at JKUAT’s Engineering Workshops, leveraging the expertise of skilled technicians and access to Nairobi-based material suppliers. This close collaboration enabled rapid prototyping and real-time design adjustments, informed directly by user feedback during the testing phase. The Imara wheelchair, which has been tested by wheelchair users is designed for practicality and adaptability. It can be easily dismantled to fit into public service vehicles and small residential spaces. Key components such as the backrest, footrest, and beam are adjustable, allowing the wheelchair to accommodate users of different body sizes while adapting to varied spatial constraints. Key policy priorities identified at the workshop included the need to broaden stakeholder engagement, particularly actors whose support is critical in areas such as financing and tax exemptions; strengthen capacity development through TVET institutions to address identified skills gaps; and scale up advocacy and awareness initiatives to support uptake and long-term sustainability, among other strategic actions. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders including representatives from the Ministries of Health; Labour, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, United Disabled Persons of Kenya, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, clinicians and rehabilitation professionals, wheelchair users, among others. Dr Wallace Karuguti, Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at JKUAT, lauded the initiative, noting that Kenya has the technical capacity and institutional strengths required to emerge as a regional manufacturing hub. The Imara Wheelchair is expected to be officially launched in the coming months.