NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Society of Physiotherapists (KSP) has urged the government to incorporate physiotherapy services into the Social Health Authority (SHA) packages, warning that sidelining the profession undermines efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during World Physiotherapy Day celebrations at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), KSP President Henry Opondo lamented widespread misconceptions that equate physiotherapy with massage, saying this undermines its medical value.
“Many people still view physiotherapy as massage. This is not luxury care—it’s about restoring function, dignity, and independence,” Opondo said.
He called on SHA to recognise physiotherapy as an essential healthcare service, stressing the need for investment in infrastructure, modern equipment, and trained personnel, especially in rural and underserved regions.
This year’s global theme, “The Role of Physiotherapy and Physical Activity in Healthy Ageing, with a Focus on Preventing Frailty and Falls,” highlighted the rising importance of mobility and physical activity in ageing populations.
KSP’s push was backed by the Physiotherapy Council of Kenya, whose CEO, Douglas C. Kotut, cited research showing that structured physical activity could prevent up to five million deaths globally each year.
“Structured exercise programmes can reduce frailty by 41 per cent and falls by 25 per cent. These statistics aren’t just numbers—they represent real lives. Physiotherapy saves and improves them,” Kotut said.
JKUAT’s Dr. Reuben Thuo, representing Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, said Kenya’s rising life expectancy demands a shift in healthcare focus.
“With life expectancy rising, we must prioritise mobility, independence, and dignity in later years,” Thuo said.
The event also spotlighted community impact initiatives. Lilly Masso, a lecturer at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), donated a standing aid kit to a family in need, underscoring physiotherapy’s life-changing role in households.
