Early this year, Pastor Nick Korir and his crew started a daring motorcycle ride around African to raise funds for schoolchildren.
And now, after crossing nerve-wracking terrain, diverse cultures and stretching their limits, they are back home—triumphant, trail-weary and Sh2.1 million richer.
The journey, flagged off by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi on December 2 last year, sought to collect Sh150 million for the LOGOS Education Endowment Fund to support underprivileged students.
The team from Nairobi Chapel had seven riders and set out to cover 45,000km across 40 African countries, reaching the continent's four extreme points: Tunisia to the North, South Africa to the South, Somalia to the East and Senegal to the West.
Here’s his abridged narration of the final stretch of the long ride:
The fourth leg of the trip started on Day 81, with a ride from Dakar to St Louis. Our day began with emotional farewells as the team split—Michael Kinyanjui and I headed out, while Havana Mutili and Leo Musau remained behind to ship our bikes home.
The road out of Dakar was smooth, but temperatures soared to 42 degrees celsius. Along the way, vultures devoured a fallen donkey—a raw reminder of the desert’s harshness. At St Louis, we were warmly welcomed by Maturin, a local host who treated us to dinner by the Atlantic and gave us a historic tour of St Louis Island.
As we prepared for the next leg, we reflected that the journey is as much about people as it is about places.
The next day brought a border crisis in Mauritania.
With my visa finally approved, I opted for the Diama border, which is less chaotic than Rosso. But customs turned me away, citing a policy barring non-local vehicles. Though my passport was stamped, I had to return to Senegal, cancel my exit and reapply for a new visa. The setback exposed the challenges of intra-African travel and left me disheartened—but determined.
I spent the next weeks in St Louis waiting for a second Mauritania visa. Frustrating, but also reflective. This delay became a spiritual and mental reset.
With a new visa in hand, I set out again, this time through Rosso. Though my Senegal visa had expired, kind officials helped me through. The crossing was chaotic, but a fixer helped me navigate it. Initially, customs refused my African-registered bike—but after learning about the mission, the chief made an exception. I crossed vast, desolate terrain with frequent police checkpoints, handing out my security fiche at each. By sunset, I reached Nouakchott—grateful to be back on track.
The next day, I rode to Nouadhibou. A sandstorm hit hard, with fierce crosswinds nearly tossing me off the road. Battling fatigue and low fuel, I pressed on. Then, a miracle—a lone green tree in the desert whispered, “You too can thrive in your wilderness.” That image stayed with me. I reached Nouadhibou exhausted but inspired.
Leaving Mauritania, I braved the infamous four km “No Man’s Land.” Morocco entry was smooth until customs objected to my map labeling Western Sahara separately. To proceed, I had to cut that section off—literally. The Atlantic-hugging road brought breath-taking views. At the Tropic of Cancer, I paused—having now crossed Capricorn, the Equator and Cancer in one ride.
Riding through Western Sahara to Casablanca, I met Italian bikers in Laayoune, enjoyed Agadir’s modernity and cruised through the cold but stunning Atlas Mountains. My bike “Chumba” hit 50,000 km—poetically matching my upcoming 50th birthday and our mission to educate 50 lives. Reaching Casablanca marked the end of the ride.
I later visited the Kenya Embassy in Rabat and shared a moment of gratitude and pride after Ambassador Jessica Gakinya and her team had helped with the Mauritania visa and entry into Morocco.
Due to time lost, I couldn’t ride to Tunisia. I flew to Tunis and drove to Cap Angela—Africa’s northernmost tip. I stood there, gave thanks and visited Utica, Carthage and Bizerte. I then I flew home. Seeing my sons leap into my arms at the airport was the perfect ending.
The mission rolls on even after the raving engines of the bikes for the ride stopped. Contribute through MPESA Paybill 8060305 and account number is your name
