Standard Chartered's Regina Mukiri hands over a T-shirt and bib number to Michael Panther, who will be participating in the 42km race on Oct 25/HANDOUT Michael Panther, founder of Hope Mobility Kenya, will take on the 42-kilometre Nairobi Marathon on October 25 in a campaign, seeking to raise funds for at least 200 custom-fitted wheelchairs for children living with disabilities.
Panther will race in a professional wheelchair christened the “Red Ferrari” after partnering with Standard Chartered Kenya for the campaign, which seeks to improve access to education, healthcare and social life for children with disabilities.
Hope Mobility Kenya fabricates and distributes about 3,500 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in Kenya. Panther, who has lived experience as a person with disability, said his marathon challenge is less about athletic achievement and more about using sport to draw attention to the mobility needs of children and influence policymakers and decision-makers.
“I am excited about this campaign as I have begun training. As a Champion for Mobility, I hope to impact the lives of our children by giving them access to education, healthcare and a glimpse into friendships with their peers,” he said.
Standard Chartered Head of Community Engagement and Impact, Kenya and Africa, Regina Mukiri, said the partnership would help promote greater inclusion in sport and society.
“Sport should be open to everyone. Through the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, we provide an inclusive platform where athletes of all abilities can participate and be recognised,” said Mukiri.
“Michael Panther’s historic challenge will spotlight Hope Mobility’s campaign to provide 200 children with custom-fitted wheelchairs, help expand access to education, healthcare and community life.”
Disability inclusion has become a growing feature of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, which has a dedicated 21km wheelchair race and has introduced measures including inclusive training, sign-language interpretation, improved ramps and tailored race-day support.
In 2025, the marathon attracted 184 wheelchair athletes and more than 80 participants with other disabilities, compared with 153 participants with disabilities in 2024.
Funds raised through Panther’s challenge will support the manufacture and distribution of specialised paediatric wheelchairs using the World Health Organisation’s recommended eight-step wheelchair service process.
Panther said each wheelchair costs about Sh50,000, making the campaign’s target critical in addressing Kenya’s mobility gap. According to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kenya has a shortfall of about 550,000 wheelchairs and assistive mobility devices, including an estimated 200,000 required by children.
“Each of these specialised, life-changing wheelchairs costs roughly KSh50,000. 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 said.
