• Wonderful crafts inspired by diverse designs showcase the immense talent of artisans at Bombolulu Workshop, a cultural centre that’s defying societal perceptions about disability and independence.
  • What you’ll find there isn’t just art — it’s living proof that purpose, passion, and resilience can shape a better world.

Bombolulu Workshop is a cultural centre that’s defying societal perceptions about disability and independence. It is home to wonderful crafts inspired by diverse designs which showcase the immense talent of artisans.

This historic site is located in Bombolulu near Rise and Shine School, just off Nyali Road in the northern part of Mombasa County, Kenya. It houses over 80 craftsmen and women living with physical disabilities, along with their families, in a community designed to support and empower their lives and livelihoods.

The centre was founded in 1969 with the aim of providing training opportunities and sheltered employment to men and women with physical disabilities who are from disadvantaged families.

In 1987, the centre was taken over by the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK), which expanded its role as a leading rehabilitation and empowerment centre for persons with disabilities.

Over the years, Bombolulu has grown into a vibrant hub of inclusive craftsmanship, cultural preservation, and social enterprise. Today, it stands as a testament to creativity, resilience, and the transformative power of inclusive opportunity.

Read More

  1. Shocking Child Abuse Case Raises Tough Questions For Kenyans
  2. The Enduring Relevance of Koito in Today’s Kalenjin Weddings
  3. What Tossing Dust into the Grave Means for Mourners, Tradition

Visitors are welcomed into buzzing workshops where woodcraft, jewellery making, textile design, and welding unfold.

Jewellery Made By Artisans On Display (Photo/Courtesy: Jasmine Mumba)

Here, artisans produce everything from bags and clothes to decorative ornaments like earrings and necklaces using intricate and creative techniques.

An Artisan Explaining The Jewellery Making Process (Photo | Courtesy: Jasmine Mumba)

Guided tours reveal just how thoughtfully each item is crafted from raw material to polished product.

The Centre also offers a rich cultural experience, with displays of traditional homesteads from various Kenyan communities including the Mijikenda, Swahili, Maasai, Kikuyu, and Luo. This cultural representation deepens the visitor’s understanding of Kenya’s heritage and diversity.

More than anything, Bombolulu proves that disability does not equate to inability. The drive and determination of its residents reflect the power of human ingenuity in transforming perceived limitations into meaningful impact.

The Centre benefits not only its residents but the broader community, promoting fair trade and dignity through work. It also boasts a vibrant on-site Gift Shop where shoppers can find everything from handcrafted bags, carvings, textiles, and jewellery to customized products tailored from personal designs.

Leaving Bombolulu is a humbling experience — a reminder that our only true limits are those we place on ourselves. For visitors, collectors, or anyone seeking inspiration, the Centre is accessible online or via a visit just past Shanzu, not far from Bamburi Cement.

What you’ll find there isn’t just art — it’s living proof that purpose, passion, and resilience can shape a better world.