•The cyclists were received by trade and tourism chief officer Mary Mkare on behalf of Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.
•Despite the covid-19 pandemic, the cyclists from EAC embarked on the fourth edition of the Great African Cycling Safari.
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Cyclists travelling for 6000km to cover the East African Community countries were warmly welcomed in Kilifi over the weekend as they proceeded with their journey from Tanzania.
The 46 cyclists carrying flags of EAC countries are on a mission to promote peace among the sister countries and explore untapped tourism facilities.
Medalists from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Rwanda intend to cover the journey in 55 days.
They were received by trade and tourism chief officer Mary Mkare on behalf of Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.
Gender, Culture and Sports executive Anisa Omar later joined them.
The cyclists were spending two nights in Malindi and Mariakani before proceeding to Nairobi and cross to Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and back to Tanzania.
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Despite the covid-19 pandemic, the cyclists from EAC embarked on the fourth edition of the Great African Cycling Safari.
The two-month-long East African tour also aims at the EAC community to address the effects of climatic change in the region and embrace regional integration.
The 2021 tour was flagged off on August 1 in Dar-salaam and among the chief guests was Kenyan Ambassador to Tanzania Dan Kazungu.
Charles Munga a Kenyan cyclist said it’s his first time to cycle and his mission is to petition the EAC to promote free border movement among state members and also encourage peaceful co-existence and climate action plan.
“The tour also aims at promoting tourism activities within the East African region by showcasing the flora and fauna to the outside world across the cultures,” he said.
Munga said they are also preaching peace and environment-friendly activities by ensuring they don’t harm the environment.
Everywhere they go, he said they showcase different cultural activities and other tourism ventures that can attract tourists.
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Abdul Bango from Tanzania said the peace and unity among EAC must be protected by citizens who have to take the opportunity towards protecting and promoting peace.
“We are riding on bicycles to show the EAC countries are coexisting peacefully,” he said.
Bango said they also sensitize the residents in the grassroots to be aware that the East African community exist and is united,” he said.
Teimah Innocent from Uganda says their journey is documenting and telling a story of the great East Africa meeting different cultures and encounter that has not been told with the passion to see more.
He said since they entered Kenya, they visited many places and interacted with different people which made them learn more about Kenya.
“We have learned more about Kenyan culture, Kenyan food, we have met the Deputy Governor of Mombasa and mostly crossing the Ocean with the ferry was my favourite one,” he said.
In Kilifi, he said they were happy to be welcomed by the band and will be happy to come back again as a tourist.
Mkare said she was happy for what the cyclists were standing for peace for tourism to thrive.
She said last month there was a triathlon in turtle bay and were happy to welcome the cyclists who were on a tour of the East African nation.
The chief officer said Kilifi has beach products, cultural tourism, and the addition of sports tourism it would contribute more to the existing products.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris