Bupa Global Healthy Cities challenge clocks over 17 million steps in Kenya

Bupa Global has concluded its inaugural Healthy Cities Challenge in Kenya, with participants collectively recording more than 17 million steps during the month-long initiative.

Employees, customers, brokers and partners clocked a total of 17,012,696 steps during the challenge, which culminated in a community walk at Karura Forest attended by 130 participants.

The initiative, held in June, sought to encourage increased physical activity while unlocking charitable funding through the Bupa Foundation to support healthier and more sustainable communities.

Healthy Cities is a global Bupa initiative focused on promoting healthier, climate-resilient cities amid challenges including rising temperatures, air pollution and limited access to green spaces.

Bupa Global Kenya CEO and Principal Officer, and Managing Director for Africa, Uditha Jayaratne, said the challenge demonstrated the connection between environmental protection and public health.

“In a changing climate, supporting people’s health and protecting our environment goes hand in hand. Every step taken throughout June for the Bupa Healthy Cities challenge helped unlock funding to support greener, healthier communities, while encouraging people to embrace healthier lifestyles,” Jayaratne said.

He said the company was encouraged by the participation of its employees, customers, brokers and partners, describing the initiative as a demonstration of how collective action can contribute to healthier communities.

“At Bupa, our purpose is to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives and make a better world. Healthy Cities brings that purpose to life by encouraging preventive health while creating lasting social and environmental impact,” he added.

Bupa said the challenge builds on its growing investment in community wellbeing in Kenya, including medical outreach programmes undertaken through its partnership with Lifecare and clean water initiatives through community borehole projects delivered with Griot Impact.

The company is also exploring a potential collaboration with Friends of Karura Forest to support environmental conservation and promote healthier, more active communities.

Globally, Bupa said Healthy Cities has, since its international expansion in 2023, helped unlock more than Ksh.1.4 billion for projects aimed at bringing nature back into urban environments.

The initiative has also reached more than one million people across over 50 cities in 24 countries, according to the company.

Bupa said the Kenya challenge reinforces its commitment to preventive healthcare, sustainability and community engagement, while highlighting the role of collective action in improving both individual health and urban environments.