KCA University Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Isaiah Wakindiki/HANDOUT
Eleven cyclists will hit the road for a worthy cause as the KCA University VC (Vice Chancellor) & CEO Cycling Tour rolls out across regional borders for the first time.
The bold move at the third edition of the tour aims at raising Sh15m to fund scholarship programmes targeting underprivileged students.
Dubbed the "Arusha Circuit," the 698-kilometre tour will span three days (August 13 to 15), weaving through Nairobi, Kitengela, Namanga, Arusha, Moshi, Tarakea, Oloitoktok, Emali, Salama, Machakos and back to Nairobi.
The peloton of 11 cyclists will include one KCA University student, symbolising the future the initiative seeks to empower.
The group is led by veteran rider David Kinja and has Daniel Juma, Samson Kamau, Alice Mirungu, Daniel Agoro, Kelvin Kariuki, Daniel Amun, Farrah Ibrahim, Isaack Mwendwa, Titus Mwangi and Joseph Nyaga.
Speaking during the tour's launch at the university’s Ruaraka main campus, Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaiah I.C. Wakindiki was impressed by the initiative’s expanding footprint.
“For the first time, this tour will cross borders because just like education knows no bounds, neither should the effort to make it accessible,” he said.
“This isn’t just a ride, it’s a statement about equity in education and awareness in road safety.”
Wakindiki noted that despite the rising number of qualified high school graduates, less than 30 per cent secure government-sponsored slots in public universities, leaving thousands of bright, low-income students behind.
“This cycling tour directly addresses that imbalance. It’s about unlocking doors that would otherwise remain closed due to financial constraints,” he added.
Since its inception in 2023, the VC & CEO Cycling Tour has sponsored 36 students.
Beyond scholarships, the university has also stepped up efforts to tackle Kenya’s road safety crisis.
During the launch, KCA unveiled a Centre for Road Safety and Accidents Surveillance Research, aimed at collecting and analysing crash data to drive policy reforms.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 4,748 lives were lost on Kenyan roads in 2024.
Wakindiki emphasised the centre’s role in shaping safer roads.
“We are integrating AI (Artificial Intelligence), GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and spatial analytics to map blackspots, study road-user behaviour, and inform infrastructure planning. The centre will also incubate innovations such as digital crash reporting tools and cyclist visibility solutions."
