Kenya: Start-up facilitating access to safe and reliable transport for people with disabilities

According to the UN Population Fund, 2.2% of Kenya’s population, which is close to one million individuals, suffer from disabilities, highlighting the need for more concentrated laws on this issue.

Kenyan ride-hailing company, The Ace Mobility, has facilitated transport for a wide range of audience from children to people with impairment and those with disabilities. This startup offers affordable, reliable and inclusive rides and train drivers on inclusivity, disability etiquette, and how to serve vulnerable people in society, giving them the opportunity to socially, economically and politically participate.

The Ace Mobility start-up was co-founded over three years ago by Daniel Gatura, who believed it is important to change the narrative around disability and reduced mobility. Witnessing the transport challenges faced by his wheelchair-bound father, he was inspired to find a mobility solution that would cater to the needs of people with disabilities. The idea relied on using transport to make sure that people with disabilities and reduced mobility would gain access to education, gain access to employment opportunities.

Although accessible transport impacts every aspect of life, from accessing education and employment to participating in social and recreational activities, many countries, including those in the African continent, fail to provide people with specific needs with the fitted transportation and mobility aids.

In Kenya, for example, the laws often remain unenforced, although its legal framework promotes inclusivity of people with disabilities, including access to public transport. Sandra Nyawira, the Disability Inclusion Advisor at United Disabled Persons of Kenya, believes that despite the visible challenges when interacting with public spaces and public transport, disables people are usually ignored in policy-making.

According to the UN Population Fund, 2.2% of Kenya’s population, which is close to one million individuals, suffer from disabilities, highlighting the need for more concentrated laws on this issue. Thus, services like The Ace Mobility take advantage of experienced drivers and AI technologies to ensure vulnerable people in these areas receive the best and most comprehensive services.

References
https://www.africanews.com/2024/10/17/kenyan-ride-hailing-company-helps-people-with-disabilities-get-mobile/
https://acemobility.co.ke/beyond-compliance-going-above-and-beyond-in-accessible-transport-solutions/
https://pantou.org/ace-mobility