Starehe alumni cycle to raise Sh5 million

Busia deputy Governor Moses Mulomi flags off cyclists seeking to raise funds to support bright needy students at Starehe Boys and Starehe Girls Centres in Nairobi. [Ignatius Odanga, Standard]

Four alumni, a parent and a friend of Starehe Boys Centre have started a 1,000km charity cycle dubbed ‘Gokibiko Starehe cycle ride’ in an effort to raise Sh5 million.

The group will cycle from Busia to Mombasa to raise funds for Griffin Memorial Endowment Trust (GMET) Fund to aid bright poor boys and girls.

“The trust manages endowment funds for Starehe Boys and Starehe Girls centres. Four hundred and eighty girls of out 600 students benefit from the charity fund,” said Director of Starehe Boys Centre Jane Soita.

The Sh5 million which is expected to earn interest through secure investments will be used to offer scholarships to five bright and needy students who score 400 marks in KCPE.

The grueling journey which will take ten days started on August 27 and is expected to end on September 7 after ten stopovers.

Nairobi marks the half way mark with 500km covered.

The initiative is the brainchild of Sam Kibiko. It started in 2018 when a total of Sh2.56 million was raised.

“This year’s contribution will be doubled from last year when I cycled 500km around Mt Kenya. This will fund the students forever and create open spaces for students to perpetuity,” Mr Kibiko said.

He noted that the weather and wet roads have been a challenge in their journey.

“Sometimes we were forced to ride into the night just to cover the distance we stop whenever the rains starts,” Kibiko said.

He revealed that St John’s hospital will provide First Aid services during the cycling.

The public has been urged to support the cause by sending contributions to MPesa 949494.