Technical Director and Team Coach Ian Hicho joins Starehe Boys Centre riders as they prepare to set off from Nairobi for the final leg of the 1,100-kilometre charity Bikeathon to Mombasa on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
NAIROBI, August 12,2026 – Thirteen students from Starehe Boys Centre have resumed their 1,100-kilometre charity cycling challenge, leaving Nairobi today for the final leg of their journey to Mombasa, where they are expected to arrive Sunday.
The riders arrived in Nairobi on Monday, Aug. 10, after cycling from Busia through several counties and spent Tuesday resting and recovering before setting off again this morning. The challenge, which began on August 3,2026 seeks to raise Sh10 million for the Griffin Memorial Endowment Fund to support education opportunities for students at Starehe.
Speaking during the riders’ departure in Nairobi Wednesday, Starehe Boys Centre Director Fred Okono said the Bikeathon forms part of the institution’s wider approach to developing students beyond academics through adventure, leadership and character-building activities.
“We hope they take away three things: the challenge of it, a sense of service and self-sacrifice, and the importance of team spirit. You are out there on the road together, not competing against one another, and everyone has a role to play,” said Okono.
He said the Sh10 million target would be invested in an endowment, with the capital preserved while its interest supports students at Starehe, creating opportunities for successive generations.
“The capital sum is never used, meaning it will support students in Starehe forever. It translates into generational support of Starehe’s mission,” he said.
Okono said Starehe had supported more than 17,870 students since its establishment in 1959, with about three quarters receiving scholarships, adding that the long-term goal was to build a Sh1.3 billion capital fund to support students at Starehe Boys and Starehe Girls centres.
Technical Director and Team Coach Ian Hicho said the riders had undergone months of physical and mental preparation to cope with the demands of covering about 100 kilometres daily.
“You cannot just wake up and ride 1,100 kilometres. The preparation started months ago, with physical training, long-distance rides and mental preparation. We needed the boys to get used to the idea of riding 100 kilometres a day,” said Hicho.
Hicho said the team had remained disciplined and resilient despite traffic, hills, heat, dust and changing road conditions, with safety and teamwork forming a key part of the training.
“This is a character-building adventure. In class, you learn many things theoretically, but on the road, you experience them for yourself. You learn resilience, focus, preparation and what it means to stay on task and keep moving towards a goal,” he said.
He said the riders followed a structured daily routine involving early breakfast, an 8 a.m. departure and regular stops for hydration, snacks and meals, supported by a nutritionist and safety team.
Team captain Ian Stanley said the journey had strengthened his leadership skills by teaching him to take responsibility for the welfare of the entire group.
“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. It has taught me that leadership is not just about being in front; it is about making sure everyone gets to the destination,” said Stanley.
Form Three student and returning Bikeathon participant Fidel Alfredo Odhiambo said the demanding sections of the route had tested the riders, but the purpose of the fundraiser had kept him motivated.
“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,” said Odhiambo.
Odhiambo, who is participating for the second time, said he had initially not intended to join this year’s team but stepped in after some riders selected for training dropped out.
The Bikeathon, named after Starehe founder Dr Geoffrey Griffin, is supported by corporate partners, alumni and members of the public. Vivo Energy Kenya has provided stopover points, refreshments and logistical assistance, while St. John Ambulance teams are providing emergency response and medical support.
The fundraising campaign remains open to friends of Starehe, alumni and well-wishers as the riders continue towards Mombasa.The students are expected to arrive in Mombasa on Sunday, Aug. 16, after completing the 1,100-kilometre journey aimed at raising resources for education opportunities for future generations of Starehe students.
