DISKEN (Disabled of Kenya) was formed in 1987 by Paul Papa Lanka, band leader, with the aim of increasing public awareness about how the disabled live and how their talents can be nurtured. The band is a Disken Society project and have taken their traditional Kenyan music to Tanzania, Hong Kong, Bombay and the Republic of Ireland, as well as various cities in England - where they supported the popular African artist Kand Bongo Man on his national tour of the UK. They also took part in the Africa '95 festival at the South Bank and performed at the 'African Art of a Continent, Exhibition in 1996, and the take note! disability music festival at the Union Chapel.
Their motto is 'Disability is not inability' and they say it is important before making any decision that you see them in action, then you will understand the saying - 'things are not always as they seem to be'.
Disken members are now based in London, though they retain strong links with Nairobi in order to encourage self reliance in disabled people through meetings, exchanging ideas, workshops and training programmes in music and crafts on an international level.