In a bid to financially support the higher education of students whose parents face multiple adversities such as poverty, substance use, physical illness among other challenges, a charity drive to mobilise funds through cycling has been launched.
KCA University seeks to raise Sh15 million, in the 2nd VC & CEO cycling tour, that will go towards providing full scholarships to needy students.
This comes at a time when facilitation of higher education in the country remains a significant hurdle for many bright and deserving learners.
KCA University Vice Chancellor and CEO Prof Isaiah Wakindiki said beneficiaries of the cycling tour that will begin May 29 to June 1, 2024, will receive full scholarships to enable them to concentrate on their studies to fully exploit their potential.
The VC also noted that part of the funds raised will also go towards supporting research and innovation.
Data from Commission for University Education indicates that 60 per cent of university dropouts are directly attributed to lack of tuition fees, a barrier that hinders individual progress and impacts the nation’s overall development by leaving a skilled workforce untapped.
The statistics call for a need for resource mobilisation initiatives by institutions of higher learning, to provide financial support, motivation and life-changing opportunities to needy students while opening doors to a brighter future.
Speaking while flagging off the tour that will see participants among them professional cyclists peddle 1,002 kilometres from Ruaraka area of Nairobi, Nakuru, Kericho, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Bomet and back, Wakindiki said the university further seeks to inculcate the culture of cycling for physical and mental fitness and to conserve the environment.
“We have begun conducting educational campaigns to encourage cycling among our students to ease feelings of stress and anxiety for better focus on their studies,” Wakindiki said.
“Last year, we supported 16 students and this year we have modified the fund to go towards supporting research and innovation as we seek to come up with solutions to a myriad of problems that bedevil the country and the society,” the VC added.
KCA foundation chairperson Dr Sarah Kilemi regretted that due to hard economic times, many children end up dropping out of school, a challenge that calls for a unity of purpose among academicians and other well-wishers to retain them in school.
“It is only by giving that we will be able to empower others and build a strong economy with a strong foundation on education,” Kilemi said.
She encouraged students and staff, especially the female ones, to begin cycling for their physical fitness, for fun and to support such initiatives.
Alice Miring’u, a professional cyclist who has represented the country in various international games such as in Burundi, Morocco, UK among other countries, called on women to join the sport for social mobility.
“I have done it before and I will do it again to support the education of those in need. Cycling is a hobby that we should all purpose to undertake for our physical fitness, entertainment and to support courses such as this. From a hobby, the sport has seen me travel to over five countries representing the country in various games,” Miring’u said.
Kelvin Kariuki, another cyclist who studied through the support of well-wishers, called on the government to enhance the safety of cyclists on the road by protecting them from rough and reckless drivers who often edge them out of the road.
