Kenyan marathon great Eliud Kipchoge has thrown his weight behind a campaign seeking to raise KSh100 million to provide wheelchairs for children living with disabilities.
The Race for Mobility campaign is being led by Michael Panther, founder of Hope Mobility Kenya. Panther plans to run the 42-kilometre Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on October 25 to raise funds for the initiative.
The organisers say the money will help provide at least 200 custom-fitted paediatric wheelchairs.
Panther, who lives with a disability, will compete in the marathon using a professional racing wheelchair he has nicknamed the “Red Ferrari”.
Kipchoge visited Panther ahead of the race and praised the campaign as an example of perseverance and social responsibility.
“It is really inspirational and motivational that someone who is differently abled is taking on such a rigorous exercise to impact children’s welfare,” Kipchoge said.
He added that sport could provide a platform for people with disabilities to challenge barriers and participate more fully in society.
“Sports have a huge platform for everybody, including children with disability. I would encourage them to take on any challenge in the different sports disciplines and conquer the world,” he said.
For Panther, the marathon is about more than completing 42 kilometres.
He hopes the campaign will help children gain greater independence and improve their access to school, 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,’” Panther said.
The campaign will focus on wheelchairs designed to meet the individual needs of each child. Hope Mobility Kenya says the devices will be produced and distributed following the World Health Organisation’s eight-step wheelchair service process, which includes assessment, fitting and follow-up.
The need is significant. The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has previously highlighted gaps in access to assistive devices in Kenya, particularly among children.
At about KSh50,000 for each specialised wheelchair, the campaign’s initial target of 200 devices would require roughly KSh10 million. Panther and his team, however, have set a broader KSh100 million fundraising goal to support the wider mobility programme.
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The official race programme includes a 42km full marathon and a 21km wheelchair race, among other categories.
The campaign adds a humanitarian purpose to a race that already draws thousands of participants. For Panther, the goal is simple: to turn every kilometre into an opportunity for a child to move more freely.
About the Author
