13 Starehe boys cyclists set off for final leg of Bikeathon to Mombasa

Starehe Boys' thirteen cyclists have returned from their 1,100-kilometre journey to raise Ksh.10 million for the school's funding.

During the Geoffrey Griffin Memorial Charity Bikeathon event on Tuesday, the boys arrived at Starehe Boys' to honour the late Geoffrey Griffin after completing their first cycling challenge from Busia to Nairobi, which started on July 3, 2026.

The riders, led by the team captain, Leon Stanley, stated that they are completing the other half of the challenge today, from Nairobi to Mombasa, to achieve the target of 10 million for an educational fundraiser.

In an interview on Tuesday, team coach Ian Hisho, narrated the journey and his experience with the cyclists.

“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. Life is not always a smooth road, and this journey is teaching the boys how to navigate the ups and downs and still make it to the end,” said Hisho.

Additionally, he opened up on the bikeathon charity challenge, saying that the participation is aimed at fostering other aspiring youths in the future. 

“I want to give back to my alma mater and help other young people benefit from the same opportunities I received here. You are because someone was, and I believe it is important to give back and create that opportunity for someone else,” he said.

Starehe Boys’ director principal, Fred Okono, concerning the school fundraiser plan, shared that the bikeathon charity challenge has created an impactful opportunity for both the school and youths interested in cycling.

“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. You are out there on the road together, not competing against one another, and everyone has a role to play,” said Okono.

One of the returning participants, Marklus Kazungu, added that through the bikeathon from Nairobi to Mombasa, they will enable growth for the youths and school.

 “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 Kazungu, a Grade 10 student.

The participants are expected to continue on their bikeathon journey with their set goal to arrive on August 16, 2026.