Inside a modest yet vibrant workshop in Likoni, Mombasa County, the air hums with the rhythm of machines. Here, the team is focused on crafting something truly life-changing: colourful, custom-made wheelchairs for children between the ages of two and 16.
But they are not building just any wheelchair—it is a special piece of equipment designed with love and care to meet the unique needs of children suffering from cerebral palsy.
The group is about 10 workers under the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK).
Athman Nyundo, a team member, joined APDK as a student in 1984. Two years later, he was introduced to the workshop.
There, he learned to handle the machines. By 1990, he had graduated and was employed at APDK.
One of their significant achievements is the creation of the Yaya seat, a special chair designed for children with cerebral palsy.
This seat can be adjusted to fit children between two years and 16 years, providing essential support for those who cannot sit or support themselves.
“There are children who cannot sit on their own, and this seat helps them stay upright and balanced,” says Mr Nyundo.
Matano Jita, 55, another long-serving member of the team, says he joined APDK in 1988 and has been instrumental in refining the design of the chair.
“What makes the Yaya seat different from other wheelchairs is that it’s adjustable, accommodating children from two years to 16 years of age,” he says.
The Managing Director of Likoni Quality Furniture, Victor Nyongesa.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
The Yaya seat has adjustable straps on either side to keep the child securely in place. It also includes a table that can be moved according to the child’s size, providing a stable surface for eating, studying, or playing.
The waterproof material covering the seat ensures that it can be easily cleaned if soiled, making it practical for everyday use.
The seat also features a headrest to support the child’s head and neck.
“As a person with a disability, it fills me with joy to create something that helps others like me. I put my heart into this work, hoping that the product will provide mobility and independence for those who need it most,” he says.
Since its inception in 2012, they have exported over 200 Yaya seats to Zimbabwe and Uganda.
Victor Nyongesa, the managing director of the APDK Likoni branch says the cost of producing a Yaya seat is Sh43,000, taking into account the quality materials used, such as three-ply wood, iron, waterproof canvas, and rubber.
While there aren't specific, official statistics on the number of children with cerebral palsy in Kenya, experts estimate that one in 100 children live with the condition.
Gladys Koech, a specialist at the organisation, says children with cerebral palsy often face challenges in achieving their developmental milestones.
