Brian Karoney takes on 300km Nairobi–Eldoret ride to raise awareness on blood disorders

For Karoney, the journey is rooted in loss, pain, purpose and a promise. He says he committed to his late wife, Janet Bett Karoney, who passed away in 2021 after battling aplastic anaemia.

Not only to raise awareness about blood-related disorders, but to take meaningful action to ensure those affected receive the support they need, including strengthening systems for treatment and access to care. Aplastic anaemia is a rare condition in which the body does not produce enough blood cells. It can leave patients severely fatigued, vulnerable to infections, and at risk of excessive bleeding.

A peloton of cyclists spotted along the Nairobi-Eldoret highway, cycling in support of Karoney’s cause as they take on the 300km-plus journey in a single day, what they call the power of the cycling family supporting one another.

Activities will begin early in the morning, with a 100km expert ride and a 50km intermediate ride flagging off at 6:30am. A 25km “Warrior’s Loop”, designed for beginners, will follow at 9am, before a 5km family and children’s ride begins at 10am. Throughout the day, organisers will conduct a donor registration exercise.

Inspired by Janet’s story, the Little Bags of Life Foundation works to raise awareness about aplastic anaemia and other conditions, while connecting donors with those in urgent need of life-saving transfusions, ensuring that her story continues to give not just hope to many, but tangible action and life-saving impact.