By Mutune Ngumu,
Thirteen students from Starehe Boys Centre have embarked on a 1,100-kilometre cycling journey from Busia to Mombasa to raise funds for talented students from disadvantaged families.
The students, drawn from Grade 10 and Form Three, have been on the road for 11 days, braving fatigue and challenging weather as they make their way along Kenya’s major highways.
When we caught up with them in Makindu, Makueni County, on Thursday, they had already covered a significant portion of the journey.
The students are seeking to raise Sh10 million through the Dr Geoffrey Griffin Memorial Bike-A-Thon, with the funds expected to support talented students who might otherwise struggle to access quality education.
Team captain Leon Stanley Ngugi says the initiative is about giving bright students from poor backgrounds an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Among the cyclists are identical twins Crispus and Marklus Kazungu, who have become a source of motivation for the team, leading their colleagues in prayers and songs along the challenging route.
Starehe Boys Centre Director Fred Okono says the funds raised are expected to support 10 students over the long term.
Beyond fundraising, the bike-a-thon is also designed to instil resilience, teamwork and discipline among the students.
Technical Director Ian Hicho says the journey is helping the students learn how to overcome challenges and work together towards a common goal.
For the 13 cyclists, every kilometre covered represents more than just a physical challenge—it is a step towards giving another young Kenyan a chance at a better future through education.
