Running for impact: Sahihi/Bingwa Green Run 9th edition pushes education cause forward

The 9th edition of the Sahihi/Bingwa Green Run & Walk was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Gatatha/Cianda, Kiambu County.

The event brought together participants from education, corporate, sports and community sectors in a growing grassroots movement focused on education support, environmental stewardship and community empowerment.

The event was organised by Sahihi Interior Builders, in partnership with Bingwa Handyman Services and Sahihi Buildings Maintenance.

It carried the theme “Bingwa – Flourishing Humanity,” which guided this year’s focus on restoring hope and expanding opportunities for bright but needy students from tea and coffee plantation communities.

Over the years, the initiative has grown into a sustained community-driven programme that blends sport with social impact.

It has mobilised corporates, schools, professionals, mentors, athletes, cyclists and local residents around a shared goal of supporting vulnerable learners and underserved households.

Organisers noted that the initiative has already delivered tangible outcomes in education.

Participant being awarded a certificate during the 9th edition of the Sahihi/Bingwa Green Run & Walk was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Gatatha/Cianda, Kiambu County/HANDOUT

Some of the beneficiaries supported through previous editions have progressed to higher learning institutions and successfully completed their studies at institutions including Dedan Kimathi University, the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), and the Kenya School of Interior Design.

Speaking ahead of the event, Njihia Njoroge, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sahihi Interior Builders and Bingwa Handyman Services, emphasised the broader purpose behind the run.

“The Green Run is more than a sporting event. It is a platform for restoring dignity, creating hope, and building a future for communities that are often overlooked. Every participant, sponsor, mentor, and partner becomes part of a larger story of transformation.”

The event featured multiple sporting categories designed to accommodate a wide range of participants. These included a 21-kilometre competitive run, a 10-kilometre run and walk category, a 5-kilometre community run and walk, as well as cycling routes of 25 kilometres, 50 kilometres and 100 kilometres.

The scenic route began at Gatatha Farmers Co-Tea Factory and concluded at All Saints High School Cianda.

Organisers said the route had been redesigned to reduce tarmac exposure and improve safety and experience for participants, while also showcasing the natural landscape of the area.

The event attracted participation from several learning institutions within Kiambu County and surrounding areas. Schools involved included Cianda Primary, Cianda High School, Gatatha Primary, Githiga High School, Ndumberi Secondary, Ting’anga High School, and Kibubuti Primary School.

Participants showing their certificates during the 9th edition of the Sahihi/Bingwa Green Run & Walk was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Gatatha/Cianda, Kiambu County/HANDOUT

Mentorship played a central role in the programme. Starehe Boys’ Centre and Starehe Girls’ Centre took part in the initiative, providing mentorship sessions and encouragement to learners from the Gatatha community.

The institutions also contributed through chaperone support and structured student engagement activities during the event.

Beyond the races, the programme included a range of community-focused activities. These included winners’ recognition and awards, student sponsorship and donation drives, motivational talks, mentorship engagements, corporate and community networking sessions, as well as health, wellness and environmental awareness activities.

The organisers had earlier called on corporates, development partners, institutions and well-wishers to support the initiative through sponsorships, student support programmes, team participation and broader community partnerships.

The event continues to attract backing from organisations operating in agribusiness, education, wellness, construction, technology and property sectors.

Among the partners associated with the initiative are Cianda Estate, Sasini, Norbrook, Kibubuti Flowers, Eden Tea, Karia Roses and Ngorongo Tea Factory, among others.

Bingwa Handyman Services, described as a technology-driven workforce and maintenance platform, continues to anchor the initiative’s wider agenda. It focuses on community empowerment through job creation, artisan digitisation and improved access to economic opportunities across the country.

The event also received support from Urban Swaras Running Club, whose members not only participated as sponsors but also turned out in large numbers for the run, with several posting notable times in the twenty-one-kilometre race. Gatatha Farmers Company Limited was also among the sponsors backing the initiative.

During the event, a new student beneficiary, Faith Maina of All Saints Cianda High School, was selected, becoming the youngest beneficiary under the programme.

The host school was among several institutions that also benefited from a tree-planting exercise led by the organisers, alongside Githiga High School, Ndumberi Secondary School, and Tinganga High School.

The initiative also expanded its environmental sustainability efforts, with four beneficiaries selected this year for a permaculture programme.

The beneficiaries will undergo training and receive seedlings to help establish new kitchen gardens.

Participants during the 9th edition of the Sahihi/Bingwa Green Run & Walk was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Gatatha/Cianda, Kiambu County/HANDOUT

Participant during the 9th edition of the Sahihi/Bingwa Green Run & Walk was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Gatatha/Cianda, Kiambu County/HANDOUT