Eliud Kipchoge (L) with Michael Panther/ HANDOUTTwo-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has thrown his weight behind the Race for Mobility campaign, urging Kenyans to rally behind efforts to raise Sh100 million to provide specialised paediatric wheelchairs for children living with disabilities.
The campaign, spearheaded by Michael Panther, founder of Hope Mobility Kenya, seeks to raise the funds through his participation in the 2026 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on September 25.
Hope Mobility Kenya is a charity organisation that fabricates and distributes wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya.
Through his lived experience as a PWD, Panther will take on the gruelling 42km, becoming the first PWD to compete in the ultimate distance of the Nairobi Marathon.
During a courtesy call to Panther, Kipchoge offered his support, describing the initiative as noble and praising Panther for embarking on a challenge aimed at changing the lives of children, their families and wider communities.
“It is really inspirational and motivational that someone who is differently abled is taking on such a rigorous exercise to impact children’s welfare. It is a show of mental resilience that will break any social and physical barrier that hinders the active participation of the vulnerable and people living with disabilities in our communities,” Kipchoge said.
“Sports have a huge platform for everybody, including children with disabilities. I would encourage them to take on any challenge in the different sports disciplines and conquer the world,” he added.
Panther will compete using a professional racing wheelchair, christened “the Red Ferrari”, in a bid to raise funds to acquire at least 200 custom-fitted paediatric wheelchairs for children living with disabilities.
He says the wheelchairs will give children a new lease of life by enabling them to access education, healthcare and social activities.
“I am excited to have Kipchoge here today. It gives me momentum and courage as I seek to immortalise his refrain, ‘No Human is Limited.’ As a Champion for Mobility, participating in this marathon gives me hope to impact the lives of our children by giving them access to education, healthcare and a glimpse into friendships with their peers,” Panther said.
Funds raised through the campaign will enable Hope Mobility Kenya to manufacture and distribute specialised paediatric wheelchairs guided by the World Health Organisation’s recommended eight-step wheelchair service process. The process ensures each child receives a wheelchair that is properly assessed, fitted and safe for long-term use.
According to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Kenya has a shortfall of about 550,000 wheelchairs and assistive mobility devices, with about 200,000 required by children.
“Each of these specialised, life-changing wheelchairs costs roughly Sh50,000. When we provide a child with a custom-fitted wheelchair, following the WHO eight-step clinical guidelines, we ensure their safety. We don’t just move their bodies – we open the doors to the classroom and allow their mothers to return to work,” Panther added.
Panther is seeking Sh1,000 from individual well-wishers for every kilometre of the marathon. Corporate partners can support the campaign by donating any amount through M-Pesa Paybill No. 529901, Account No. 1152126093002.
Cheque and bank transfer donations can be made to Hope Mobility Kenya, Kingdom Bank – Kilimani Branch, Account No. 1152126093002, SWIFT Code: CIFIKENA.
