Nairobi is the only United Nations headquarters in the Global South, the regional hub for dozens of multinationals and development agencies, and a conference and safari destination that welcomes travelers from around the world. Many of those tenants and visitors arrive with demanding accessibility policies, and they find buildings in Westlands or Upper Hill where the entrance is a staircase, the lift doesn't announce floors and the ramp ends at a door that's too narrow. The 2010 Constitution recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to access all public places and services, the 2024 National Building Code added accessibility requirements, and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities promotes compliance, but verification of existing buildings is still weak. For landlords competing for international agencies and multinationals, proving accessibility against a recognized standard is increasingly a leasing requirement. AIS certification, from Fundación ARS, assesses the building in use and recognizes it with 1 to 5 stars published in a public registry.
On-site assessment: we walk the building from the vehicle entrance and security checkpoints to the emergency exit, measuring ramps, lifts, restrooms, counters and signage against AIS criteria and the National Building Code.
Prioritized improvement plan: we rank gaps by impact and cost, separating what can be solved through management and furniture from what requires construction and county approval.
Implementation and training: we support the upgrades and train reception, security and emergency teams to assist and evacuate people with disabilities, including during power outages.
Certification and registry: we manage verification with Fundación ARS, which issues the certificate with its star rating and publishes it in the AIS Public Registry.
The cost of AIS depends on the type of asset (physical space, website or product), its size and its complexity, and includes the authorized advisor's assessment and support plus Fundación ARS certification fees. Investment in upgrades is the most variable part: in existing offices, hotels and malls, many gaps are closed with ramps, signage, grab bars, restroom adjustments and audible floor announcements in lifts, and only some require construction. For an operating building with minor upgrades, the process usually takes 3 to 6 months from assessment to certificate.
The 2010 Constitution guarantees persons with disabilities access to public places and services, disability legislation requires buildings used by the public to be adapted, and the 2024 National Building Code sets out technical requirements. AIS uses that framework as a reference and adds international criteria on operations, customer service and evacuation.
Yes. In hotels and lodges, AIS reviews guest rooms, restrooms, common areas, outdoor routes and the information available to guests. Many travelers with reduced mobility plan safaris and conference trips months ahead and choose based on reliable accessibility information.
Yes. You can certify the whole building or the common areas the landlord controls, such as entrances, parking, lifts and shared restrooms. Tenants can then certify their own offices, building on the base building assessment.
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