13 Starehe Boys Take on Final Leg of 1,100-Kilometre Charity Bikeathon to Mombasa
Thirteen students from Starehe Boys Centre are back on the road, taking on the final stretch of a gruelling 1,100-kilometre charity bikeathon from Nairobi to Mombasa.
The young cyclists resumed their journey on Wednesday, August 12, after arriving in Nairobi on Monday from Busia and taking a day to rest and recover at Starehe Boys Centre.
The riders are now heading towards Mombasa, where they are expected to arrive on Sunday, August 16. Along the way, they are not only testing their physical and mental endurance but also raising money towards a KSh 10 million target for the Starehe Boys Centre education fund.
The Dr. Geoffrey Griffin Memorial Charity Bikeathon honours the legacy of the late Geoffrey Griffin, the founder of Starehe Boys Centre and a strong advocate for education and opportunities for young people.
For the boys taking part, however, the challenge is about much more than cycling.
“This is a character-building adventure. In class, you learn many things theoretically, but on the road, you experience them for yourself,” said Ian Hicho, Technical Director and Team Coach and an Old Starehian.
According to Hicho, the boys have spent months preparing for the challenge, including physical conditioning, long-distance rides and mental preparation.
“You cannot just wake up and ride 1,100 kilometres,” he said. “We needed the boys to get used to the idea of riding 100 kilometres a day, because on this journey, you have to do it again the next day.”
Learning Resilience on the Road
The first leg of the journey put the young riders through changing road conditions, traffic, hills, heat and fatigue.
For Form Three student and returning Bikeathon participant Fidel Alfred Odhiambo, the experience has reinforced the importance of staying focused even when the journey becomes difficult.
“The biggest lessons for me are determination and resilience. There are moments when you feel like giving up, especially when climbing the hills, but you remember why you started and you keep going,” he said.
Team captain Ian Stanley has also found the journey to be a lesson in leadership.
“Being team captain means making sure everyone is where they are supposed to be, that the bikes are in order and that the team moves together,” he said.
“It has taught me that leadership is not just about being in front; it is about making sure everyone gets to the destination.”
For the younger riders, the priority is simple: complete the journey safely while keeping the bigger purpose of the Bikeathon in sight.
“When we reach Mombasa, it will mean that we have achieved the goal we set for ourselves: getting everyone there safely and helping raise funds for Starehe,” said Grade 10 student Marklus Kazungu.
Partnerships Supporting the Journey
The Bikeathon has brought together several partners supporting the students throughout the long-distance challenge.
Vivo Energy Kenya, which operates the Shell service station network in the country, has provided stopover points, refreshments and logistical support along the route.
For Mark Senteu, Commercial Manager at Vivo Energy Kenya and a former Starehe student, the partnership reflects the importance of giving back.
“Education and youth empowerment are an important part of our sustainability agenda,” he said, adding that partnerships such as the Bikeathon help create shared value beyond business.
Safety and medical support is also being provided by emergency response teams from St John Ambulance as the cyclists travel across the country.
At Starehe Boys Centre, the Bikeathon is seen as an extension of the institution’s wider approach to developing young people who are confident, responsible and ready to serve their communities.
“We hope they take away three things: the self-esteem and character that comes from taking on a major challenge, a sense of service and self-sacrifice, and the importance of team spirit,” said Fred Okono, Director of Starehe Boys’ Centre.
A Journey Driven by Giving Back
As the riders head towards the coast, fundraising for the education fund remains open to members of the public, friends of Starehe and well-wishers.
For Hicho, who is also an Old Starehian, the Bikeathon is deeply personal.
“I want to give back to my alma mater and help other young people benefit from the same opportunities I received here,” he said.
“You are because someone was, and I believe it is important to give back and create that opportunity for someone else.”
The cyclists are expected to continue through the final stretch of their journey over the coming days, with Mombasa as their ultimate destination.
When they arrive on August 16, they will have completed more than a physical challenge. They will have carried a message about resilience, teamwork, service and the power of education—and hopefully helped open the door to greater opportunities for future generations of Starehe students.
