Kenya’s Government Spokesman, Isaac Maigua Mwaura, has called for stronger partnerships to expand access to assistive technology and mobility devices for persons with disabilities, particularly those living in underserved communities.
Mwaura made the call following a consultative meeting with Hope Mobility International, where discussions focused on practical partnerships to improve access to wheelchairs and other assistive devices, strengthen disability-inclusive policies and expand outreach to underserved communities across Kenya.
He said mobility goes beyond physical movement, describing access to appropriate mobility devices as essential to dignity, independence, participation and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities.
The meeting was attended by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hope Mobility International, Michael Panther; Executive Director, Jack Muthui; and Head of Partnerships, Victor Omondi.
According to Mwaura, the Hope Mobility International team shared an inspiring story of faith, resilience and lived experience, particularly the journey of Panther, whose childhood experiences with illness, displacement and challenges accessing wheelchair-friendly facilities while attending school in Kenya influenced his decision to establish the organisation between 2017 and 2018.
Mwaura disclosed that since Hope Mobility Kenya was established in 2023, the organisation has distributed nearly 10,000 mobility devices to persons with disabilities across Kisumu, Nyandarua, Mombasa, Narok and Makueni counties.
He said the distribution had been carried out in partnership with Kenya’s National Council for Persons with Disabilities and other local institutions.
The Government Spokesman said the consultative meeting also identified opportunities for joint community outreach programmes aimed at reaching persons who require mobility devices but remain underserved, particularly those living in rural communities and informal settlements.
He further said the stakeholders explored the use of faith-based platforms as a means of promoting social inclusion and changing negative community attitudes towards disability.
Mwaura said discussions also examined policy and administrative pathways for facilitating the importation of donated wheelchairs and specialised mobility equipment into Kenya.
He stressed the need to ensure that donated assistive devices reach intended beneficiaries efficiently and without unnecessary administrative delays.
Going forward, Mwaura said he would strengthen coordination with Hope Mobility International, facilitate engagement on relevant administrative frameworks and integrate the organisation into upcoming regional disability-outreach programmes.
He emphasised that removing barriers to mobility would enable persons with disabilities not only to move independently but also to participate fully in society, contribute to their communities and thrive.
“When barriers are removed, people do not simply move, they participate, contribute and thrive,” Mwaura said.
Mwaura, who is a person with albinism, is the current Government Spokesman of Kenya and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Albinism Society of Kenya.
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