Walking aids are usually bought in a hurry, the day before a discharge, by a family member who has never bought one before. That is how people end up with crutches that are the wrong height and a frame that does not fit through the bedroom door. This guide is written to make that decision take ten minutes instead of a week.
Walking aid prices in Kenya: 2026 price list
| Item | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Foldable Walking Stick | KSh 1,500 | Mild balance problems, travel, occasional use |
| Cane for the Blind | KSh 1,500 | Visual impairment, orientation and mobility |
| Walking Stick with Seat | KSh 2,000 | Patients who tire quickly and need to rest en route |
| Auxiliary Crutches | KSh 2,000 | Fractures, post-operative non-weight-bearing, short-term use |
| Walking Frame with Castors | KSh 4,000 | Indoor use where lifting a frame is too tiring |
| Walking Frame | KSh 8,000 | Maximum stability, rehabilitation, elderly patients |
| Rollator Walker | KSh 11,000 | Outdoor mobility with brakes, seat and storage |
Choosing between a stick, crutches, a frame and a rollator
The rule of thumb is to use the least supportive aid that keeps the patient safe. Over-supporting is not harmless: it weakens the patient, slows rehabilitation and makes stairs harder, not easier.
A walking stick
For mild unsteadiness or one weak leg. Held in the hand opposite the affected leg, and moved forward with that leg. A stick with a seat is a genuinely useful variation for anyone who can walk a hundred metres but not three hundred.
Crutches
For non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing after a fracture or surgery. Auxiliary (underarm) crutches are what most Kenyan hospitals discharge patients with. The pads should sit two to three finger-widths below the armpit and the weight must go through the hands, never the armpits. Weight through the armpit is how patients develop nerve damage.
A walking frame
For significant instability. A standard frame is lifted and placed, which is the most stable option but demands arm strength. A frame with front castors is easier for frail patients because it is pushed rather than lifted, at some cost in stability.
A rollator
For patients who are steady enough to walk outdoors but need brakes, a seat and somewhere to carry things. This is the one that restores the most independence, and the one most often skipped because of the price. Over a year of daily use it is the cheapest of the lot per outing.
Getting the height right
This is the part that gets done wrong most often. Stand the patient upright in their normal shoes, arms hanging loose at their sides. The top of the stick, crutch handgrip or frame should sit level with the crease of the wrist. At that height the elbow bends about 15 to 20 degrees when gripping, which is where the arm is strongest.
Too high and the shoulder does the work and tires within minutes. Too low and the patient stoops, which shifts the centre of gravity forward and increases the risk of a fall. Every aid we supply is height-adjustable, and we will set it for you at the point of collection if the patient is with you.
Practical notes for the home
- Check the ferrules. The rubber tips are the entire grip system. Replace them when the tread wears smooth, not when they fall off.
- Loose rugs and door thresholds cause more falls than stairs. Remove them before the patient comes home.
- Measure your doorways. Standard frames are around 60 cm wide. Older interior doors in Kenya are often narrower than people assume.
- Wet floors and cement verandas are the highest-risk surfaces. Consider ferrules with a wider base for outdoor use.
- Store the aid where the patient wakes. Most falls happen on the way to the bathroom at night.
Questions we are asked most often
How much do crutches cost in Kenya?
Auxiliary crutches are around KSh 2,000 a pair. Walking sticks start at KSh 1,500, walking frames at KSh 4,000 and rollators at about KSh 11,000.
Frame or rollator for an elderly parent?
If they are mostly indoors and unsteady, a frame. If they still go out and need to rest along the way, a rollator. The seat and brakes are what make the difference.
How do I know the height is right?
The handgrip should reach the crease of the wrist when the patient stands upright with arms relaxed.
Do you stock spare ferrules and accessories?
Yes. Replacement tips, and the wider range of transfer and bathroom safety equipment, are all available.
Ordering
See the walking aids range, and consider bathroom safety and toileting aids at the same time, since the bathroom is where the majority of home falls happen. For patients who cannot walk at all, the wheelchair guide is the place to start.