Thirteen students from Starehe Boys’ Centre have completed a grueling 1,100-kilometre charity cycling expedition from Busia to Mombasa to raise a Sh10 million education fund for needy learners.
The students arrived in Mombasa on Sunday, bringing to an end the 14-day Dr Geoffrey Griffin Memorial Bike-A-Thon, an annual ride that celebrates the legacy of Starehe’s founder, Dr Geoffrey William Griffin, while raising funds for the school’s sustainability, scholarships and infrastructure.
The cyclists were flagged off in Busia on August 3 and rode through western Kenya and the Rift Valley before reaching Nairobi, where they took a brief rest before embarking on the final stretch to the Coast.
They were received at the iconic Mombasa Tusks, where team coach Ian Hisho described the expedition as challenging but rewarding.
“It has been a crazy ride. We have experienced everything, from mountains, rain, and dust to rough tracks, but thank God we are all well and we made it to Mombasa,” said Hisho.
He said the main objective of the bike-a-thon was to raise funds to support needy students at Starehe Boys’ and Starehe Girls’ centres while keeping alive the legacy of Dr Geoffrey William Griffin.
By the time they reached Mombasa, the team had raised slightly more than Sh1 million, leaving them with a further Sh9 million to reach their target.
Hisho appealed to Kenyans, corporates and well-wishers to support the initiative, saying the funds would go towards school fees and other educational needs of vulnerable children.
He also called on the national and county governments to invest in cycling infrastructure and improve road safety for cyclists. “We urge both national and county governments to create more infrastructure for cyclists, including cycling lanes, and educate drivers and other road users to respect cyclists,” he said.
Team captain Leon Stanley said the cyclists had overcome numerous challenges along the route, including rough roads, dust and strong winds. “It has been a good ride, although it came with its own challenges and moments of happiness. With God, everything is possible, and now we are here in Mombasa,” Stanley said.
He thanked the coach, technical team, sponsors, and other supporters for helping the students complete the demanding journey.
The expedition was also supported by Vivo Energy Kenya, whose CSR Coordinator Taara Musila said the company was proud to partner with the students throughout the challenge.
Musila said the cyclists had demonstrated resilience, discipline, and determination during the 1,100-kilometre journey. “We are proud of them. We have supported them with refreshments throughout the journey from Busia to Nairobi and then Nairobi to Mombasa,” she said.
She added that the experience would help the students develop important life skills, including discipline and resilience, which would shape them into responsible young men.
The Dr Geoffrey Griffin Memorial Bike-A-Thon is aimed at celebrating the legacy of the late educationist while mobilizing resources to ensure needy children have access to quality education.
Organizers are appealing for more contributions to help the initiative achieve its Sh10 million target and support more students facing financial challenges.
By Hussein Abdullahi
