04:27Daniel Kamau, the founder of Ace Mobility, has transformed the transportation situation for people with disabilities in Nairobi offering the paralysed or people with reduced mobility rides that fit their needs, enabling them to commute with ease.
“My dad got into an accident, and he became a wheelchair user; he became paraplegic. Due to this particular condition, he was dismissed from work since he could not get a transport solution from home to work. So I grew up wanting to solve for not only him but for the 200 million Africans with reduced mobility, and 5 million of whom are currently in Kenya," he explained.
According to Kamau, the company charges its clients $1 per kilometre and is now building a mobile application to grant customers access to the nearest transport solutions.
“So other than the vehicles we currently have, we are looking towards working together with public transport to make it accessible and also showing other last-mile solutions that are open to persons with disabilities," Kamau said.
Caroline Mwikali, one of Kamau’s customers, stated that she had difficulties in buses, as locals always had to assist her for a seat inside the vehicle, and said that she feels very comfortable with the solution offered by Kamau.
“I do not have to be lifted by anyone because the vehicle allows me to just get in with my wheelchair and sit on my wheelchair," she said.
According to the UN, 2.2% of Kenya’s population suffer from some form of disability. Although Kenya has legislation including elements of inclusion of people with disabilities such as the Persons with Disabilities Act, the Children's Act and the Work Injury Benefits Act, a report from April 2024 finds that progress in the matter "is uneven and the coordination and support from the national level is insufficient."
Game changer! Nairobi businessman enables people with disabilities to commute easily
Daniel Kamau, the founder of Ace Mobility, has transformed the transportation situation for people with disabilities in Nairobi offering the paralysed or people with reduced mobility rides that fit their needs, enabling them to commute with ease.
“My dad got into an accident, and he became a wheelchair user; he became paraplegic. Due to this particular condition, he was dismissed from work since he could not get a transport solution from home to work. So I grew up wanting to solve for not only him but for the 200 million Africans with reduced mobility, and 5 million of whom are currently in Kenya," he explained.
According to Kamau, the company charges its clients $1 per kilometre and is now building a mobile application to grant customers access to the nearest transport solutions.
“So other than the vehicles we currently have, we are looking towards working together with public transport to make it accessible and also showing other last-mile solutions that are open to persons with disabilities," Kamau said.
Caroline Mwikali, one of Kamau’s customers, stated that she had difficulties in buses, as locals always had to assist her for a seat inside the vehicle, and said that she feels very comfortable with the solution offered by Kamau.
“I do not have to be lifted by anyone because the vehicle allows me to just get in with my wheelchair and sit on my wheelchair," she said.
According to the UN, 2.2% of Kenya’s population suffer from some form of disability. Although Kenya has legislation including elements of inclusion of people with disabilities such as the Persons with Disabilities Act, the Children's Act and the Work Injury Benefits Act, a report from April 2024 finds that progress in the matter "is uneven and the coordination and support from the national level is insufficient."
Daniel Kamau, the founder of Ace Mobility, has transformed the transportation situation for people with disabilities in Nairobi offering the paralysed or people with reduced mobility rides that fit their needs, enabling them to commute with ease.
“My dad got into an accident, and he became a wheelchair user; he became paraplegic. Due to this particular condition, he was dismissed from work since he could not get a transport solution from home to work. So I grew up wanting to solve for not only him but for the 200 million Africans with reduced mobility, and 5 million of whom are currently in Kenya," he explained.
According to Kamau, the company charges its clients $1 per kilometre and is now building a mobile application to grant customers access to the nearest transport solutions.
“So other than the vehicles we currently have, we are looking towards working together with public transport to make it accessible and also showing other last-mile solutions that are open to persons with disabilities," Kamau said.
Caroline Mwikali, one of Kamau’s customers, stated that she had difficulties in buses, as locals always had to assist her for a seat inside the vehicle, and said that she feels very comfortable with the solution offered by Kamau.
“I do not have to be lifted by anyone because the vehicle allows me to just get in with my wheelchair and sit on my wheelchair," she said.
According to the UN, 2.2% of Kenya’s population suffer from some form of disability. Although Kenya has legislation including elements of inclusion of people with disabilities such as the Persons with Disabilities Act, the Children's Act and the Work Injury Benefits Act, a report from April 2024 finds that progress in the matter "is uneven and the coordination and support from the national level is insufficient."