In Kenya, movement happens differently. Children walk barefoot on natural surfaces. Adults wear lighter footwear. The ground is varied — soil, sand, uneven terrain. This keeps the foot's 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles active and responsive.
Move to a Northern country and the picture changes completely.
The impact of enclosed footwear and hard floors
Closed shoes with rigid soles compress the foot, reduce sensory feedback from the ground, and prevent the natural spread and flex of the foot during walking. Combine this with:
- Hard, flat indoor floors (concrete, timber, tile) that remove natural ground variation
- Cold weather that limits walking outdoors
- Increased time standing on hard supermarket or office floors
...and you have a recipe for plantar fasciitis, flat foot collapse, knee pain, and hip issues — all of which trace back to a foot that has stopped doing its job properly.
What "strong feet" actually means
Foot strength is not about toe-curling exercises. It's about the arch's ability to load and spring, the ankle's stability under single-leg load, and the foot's capacity to sense and respond to uneven surfaces. These qualities are trainable at any age.
What you can start doing now
- Walk barefoot on varied surfaces whenever possible — grass, gravel paths, sand if available
- Spend time at home barefoot rather than in slippers
- Short foot exercise: while seated, try to "dome" the arch without curling the toes — this activates the intrinsic foot muscles
- Single-leg standing (30 seconds each side, eyes closed) to build ankle proprioception
Our Sole to Soil programme
Wellness Solutions Africa runs a dedicated foot and movement programme — Sole to Soil — designed to rebuild the foundation of your movement from the ground up. It's available for in-person and remote participants. If you're in the diaspora and dealing with foot pain, flat feet, or lower limb issues that have worsened since moving abroad, this programme was built for you.
Contact us to find out more or book an assessment — in person if you're visiting Kenya, or remotely from wherever you are.