Children Push For Mobility Justice In National Great Wheel Campaign
Matters Disability Updated: 21 February 2026 20:04 EAT
Participants of the Great Wheel Campaign flagged off at Kijabe hospital
Kenya’s annual Great Wheel campaign has once again placed the spotlight on access to appropriate paediatric wheelchairs, drawing national attention to the mobility challenges facing children with disabilities. The initiative is spearheaded by Bethany Kids Kenya and brings together disability advocates, healthcare providers and government agencies in a coordinated push for reform and resources.
The 2026 edition runs from February 18 to March 1, framing mobility as both a health priority and a human rights issue. Organisers are using the campaign period to amplify calls for structured assessment, fitting and follow-up services so that children receive devices tailored to their medical and developmental needs.
The campaign was launched in Kijabe, where six wheelchair users began a symbolic journey across counties to highlight the physical and social barriers that persons with disabilities encounter daily. The trek is designed to spark public dialogue in towns along the route.
The journey will culminate in Kakamega, with activities scheduled at Bukhungu Stadium to mark International Wheelchair Day. The finale is expected to draw stakeholders from health, education and social protection sectors.
Data cited during the campaign indicates that Kenya requires an estimated 200,000 wheelchairs and related mobility devices each year. However, recent government distribution figures stand at about 4,700 devices in the last financial year, with a target of roughly 5,000 this year, leaving a significant supply gap.
Global statistics referenced by advocates show that one in ten children lives with a disability, according to UNICEF. In many low-income settings, access to assistive products remains as low as three per cent, underscoring the urgency of sustained intervention.
Partners supporting the initiative include the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Christian Blind Mission Kenya and the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya. These institutions are advocating for policy alignment and stronger public investment in assistive technology.
Medical professionals involved in the campaign emphasise that a paediatric wheelchair is a prescribed medical device rather than a generic mobility aid. Proper posture support, adjustability and durability are critical to prevent secondary complications and to support growth and participation.
A shortage of trained personnel to conduct assessments and fittings remains a major barrier. Limited funding for maintenance and repair services further compounds the problem, often leaving families with devices that are unsuitable or unusable over time.
Beyond fundraising, the Great Wheel campaign seeks to reshape public perception and policy priorities. By positioning assistive technology within mainstream health planning and disability inclusion frameworks, organisers aim to ensure that children with mobility challenges can access education, recreation and community life on equal footing.
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FELIX MAKONA
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