Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya

What Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya does

The Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK) is a charitable not-for-profit NGO founded in 1960 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization delivers a comprehensive portfolio of disability inclusion services to persons with physical disabilities across Kenya, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthopaedic technology, community-based rehabilitation (CBR), assistive device manufacturing, and advocacy aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Its core technology base is in-house orthopaedic manufacturing producing custom callipers, braces, surgical boots, prosthetics, and a broad range of wheelchairs (manual, electric, paediatric, bariatric, and specialized models), supplemented by an e-learning platform (elearning.apdk.org) for capacity building. Revenue is generated through a hybrid non-profit model combining product sales (a 138+ SKU e-commerce storefront with Nairobi office pickup, plus two social enterprises — Bombolulu Handcrafts in Mombasa and Likoni Quality Furniture Workshop), donations and fundraising events, and grant funding from international development partners including USAID, GIZ, British Council, CBM, World Vision, and CISU. APDK's go-to-market combines community-based rehabilitation outreach, regional hubs, mobile clinics, an e-commerce storefront, and awareness events such as the Mazoezi for Mobility challenge and the Standard Chartered Marathon inclusive sports program. Programs span innovation-to-inclusion employment initiatives, a Child Protection Network Project, a Digital Accessibility Project, and an Inclusive Election program, positioning APDK as both a service provider and a national advocacy entity.

Name

Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya

Legal name

Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya

Website

https://apdk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

APDK is a Kenyan charitable NGO founded in 1960 that provides rehabilitation services, in-house manufactured assistive devices and wheelchairs, community-based rehabilitation, and disability advocacy for persons with physical disabilities across Kenya.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobility Device Sales, Rental & Service (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers) (HSABAKAC), Rehabilitation Therapy Equipment (PT/OT Modalities, Exercise & Balance Devices) (HLAHAMAG), Mobility, Positioning & Seating for School Access (Educational Use) (EDAKAIAG)

Keywords

• Assistive devices
• Rehabilitation services
• Orthopaedic technology
• Wheelchair manufacturing
• Disability inclusion

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of assistive devices including wheelchairs, walking aids, orthopaedic devices, and rehabilitation equipment through an e-commerce shop and physical office pickup location
2. Donations and Fundraising: Voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations, including fundraising events like Mazoezi for Mobility
3. Grant Funding: Funding from international development partners including USAID, GIZ, British Council, CBM, World Vision, and others for programs and operations
4. Fair Trade Handcrafts: Sale of handcrafted items produced by persons with disabilities at Bombolulu Workshop and Fair Trade Shop
5. Furniture Sales: Sale of quality furniture manufactured at Likoni Quality Furniture Workshop

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

APDK manufactures and sells assistive devices including wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, walking aids, commodes, and custom orthopaedic devices through its e-commerce shop, physical office, and regional hubs. The organization delivers clinical rehabilitation services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthopaedic technology) and runs community-based rehabilitation programs to support persons with physical disabilities across Kenya.

Product overview

APDK is a charitable not-for-profit NGO that provides a comprehensive portfolio of assistive devices, rehabilitation products, and social enterprise goods and services. The core product offerings include wheelchairs (manual, electric, pediatric, bariatric, and specialized models), crutches and walking aids (auxiliary crutches, elbow crutches, walking sticks, walking frames, rollaters), commodes and bathing aids, tricycles for mobility and business use, orthopedic products (braces, callipers, surgical boots), and rehabilitation equipment (parallel bars, pedal exercisers, therapy stairs, standing frames). The organization also operates social enterprises including Bombolulu Handcrafts (baskets, carvings, jewelry) and Likoni Quality Furniture, along with clinical services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and orthopaedic technology clinics. Programs include community-based rehabilitation, economic empowerment through VSLA, innovation for employment, child protection, and digital accessibility initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physiotherapy Services Professional physiotherapy services for physical rehabilitation and mobility improvement, delivered through APDK's clinic for persons with physical disabilities.
• Occupational Therapy Services Clinical occupational therapy services to help individuals achieve independence in daily activities, delivered through APDK's occupational therapy clinic.
• Orthopaedic Technology Services Orthopaedic technology clinic providing custom orthopaedic devices and assistive technology for persons with physical disabilities.
• Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Community-based rehabilitation programs bringing rehabilitation services and outreach to persons with disabilities in their local communities across Kenya.
• Wheelchairs Full range of wheelchairs manufactured in-house by APDK, including manual, electric, paediatric, bariatric, and specialized models (commode, reclining, safari, tough rider), available through the e-commerce shop and physical offices for persons with mobility impairments.
• Assistive Devices Range of mobility and self-care assistive devices including auxiliary and elbow crutches, walking sticks, walking frames, rollators, tricycles, commodes, bath chairs, toilet armrests, arm slings, knee supports, standing frames, and white canes, sold through the APDK shop.
• Orthopaedic Products Custom orthopaedic devices including callipers with plastic shells, leather knee caps, leather short and long leg braces, ankle foot orthoses, polio boots, surgical boots, and waist sacroiliac supports for lower limb support and recovery.
• Rehabilitation Equipment Rehabilitation and therapy equipment including parallel bars, pedal exercisers, static bicycles with tensioner, therapy stairs, balancing stools, push carts, and rocking chairs used in clinical and community rehabilitation programs.
• Wheelchair Accessories Wheelchair parts and accessories including hubs, complete wheels, front forks, hand pedals, brakes, foot rests, cottar pins, castor wheels, arm supports, and pressure-relief cushions for wheelchair assembly and repair.
• Bombolulu Handcrafts Handicraft products including baskets, carvings, jewelry, bags, and home décor produced by artisans with disabilities at the Bombolulu Workshop in Mombasa, sold under the APDK fair trade social enterprise.
• Likoni Quality Furniture Quality furniture including beds, chairs, dining sets, and bedroom furniture manufactured at the Likoni Quality Furniture Workshop in Mombasa, providing employment for persons with disabilities.
• Economic Empowerment (VSLA) Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program for poverty alleviation through economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, delivered through community-based groups.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major and moderate.

• World VisionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational child-focused NGO partnering on child protection and disability programs
• Standard CharteredmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational bank sponsoring the Standard Chartered Marathon which includes inclusive sports events for persons with disabilities
• National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan government body mandated to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities; collaborated on accessibility audit reports
• National CouncilmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment council collaborating on disability rights and inclusion initiatives
• Flone InitiativemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's rights organization collaborating on accessibility audits and disability inclusion advocacy
• KENHA (Kenya National Highways Authority)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency collaborated with on road accessibility audits to improve infrastructure for persons with disabilities

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Whirlwind Wheelchair International: US-rooted nonprofit that collaborates with local workshops worldwide to build rugged, low-cost wheelchairs for developing-country users. Closely parallels APDK's in-house orthopaedic and wheelchair manufacturing approach for resource-limited settings.
• Free Wheelchair Mission: International nonprofit distributing free wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in developing countries, often through partner distribution networks. Comparable to APDK's mission of providing mobility devices to underserved Kenyan populations.
• Motivation Charitable Foundation: UK- and Africa-based charity that designs, manufactures, and distributes appropriate wheelchairs and mobility devices for persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries. Directly comparable to APDK's wheelchair manufacturing and community distribution model.
• Mobility Africa: Kenya-based social enterprise producing affordable, appropriate wheelchairs and mobility aids for African users. Operates in the same country and same product category as APDK, with similar affordability and local-manufacturing positioning.

Regional players

• Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA): Kenya's state medical supplies agency procuring and distributing medical devices and consumables nationally. Adjacent to APDK as a domestic channel for medical/rehabilitation supplies into Kenya's public health system.

Emerging players

• World Bicycle Relief: Nonprofit distributing rugged bicycles (including Buffalo Bicycle) for mobility and economic empowerment in developing countries. Partial overlap with APDK's tricycle-based mobility and economic empowerment programs targeting persons with disabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Leonard Cheshire Disability: Global NGO supporting persons with disabilities through education, employment, healthcare, and advocacy programs in developing countries. Overlaps with APDK in disability inclusion, economic empowerment, and advocacy framing.
• Light for the World: European disability and development NGO working on inclusive eye health, education, and rehabilitation in low-income countries. Comparable to APDK in combining clinical rehabilitation services with inclusion advocacy and donor-funded programming.
• Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International): Large international NGO delivering rehabilitation, prosthetics/orthotics, and disability inclusion programs across dozens of low-income countries. Comparable to APDK across rehabilitation services, orthotics manufacturing, and inclusion advocacy at greater geographic scale.
• CBM (Christian Blind Mission): International disability-focused development organization funding community-based rehabilitation, inclusive education, and assistive services globally. APDK is itself a CBM partner, and CBM's program model is structurally similar to APDK's CBR work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/apdkdisability
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@apdk3856
• Facebookfacebook.com/apdkkenya
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-for-the-physically-disabled-of-kennya-apdk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya