Kenyan paracyclists receive tandem bicycles
Inclusive Cycling International (ICI) director Greg Milano (in yellow Jersey) poses with Kenyan para-cyclists and their guides after presenting them with tandem bicycles for competition.
What you need to know:
- Mutuma welcomed the donation, noting its critical role in preparing Kenya’s cyclists for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a stepping stone toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
- “These bicycles are quite expensive, and this is a big boost for us,” Mutuma said, expressing optimism for more Kenyans to qualify for upcoming international competitions.
Kenya’s para-cyclists aiming for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games have received a significant boost with a donation of three high-performance tandem bicycles, valued at over Sh1.5 million, from Inclusive Cycling International (ICI).
ICI Director Greg Milano presented the three tandem bicycles and a hand cycle to Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC) Secretary General Stanley Mutuma in Nairobi.
Milano, representing the US-based NGO, emphasised ICI’s commitment to developing cycling programs for visually impaired athletes in Kenya. This donation follows a 2022 US Embassy-backed project to increase hand cycling and tandem cycling opportunities in Kenya.
Milano praised the historic accomplishments of visually impaired cyclist Kennedy Ogada, who made history at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and later qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Ogada, piloted by Peter Njoki in Birmingham, became the first Kenyan to compete in para track cycling, placing sixth in the Tandem B Time Trial. In Paris, he was piloted by former Kenya Sevens rugby player Oscar Dennis, marking another first as a Kenyan para-cyclist in road cycling (B2).
Milano highlighted the impact of previous donations, which supported visually impaired cyclists Antony Mugwanga and his pilot Njaga Gathura in international competitions.
Additionally, Ogada, Mugwanga (B1), and Dedan Ireri (C2) showcased impressive performances at the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Para-cycling African Championships in June, held in Cairo. Ireri claimed four gold medals across track and road events, while Ogada took gold in Time Trials tandem and silver in road racing.
“That raises awareness of disability sports, and we look forward to seeing these bikes used for training and competitions,” said Milano. He encouraged corporate support for para athletes, adding, “The performance demonstrates that people with disabilities also can perform well in sports.”
Milano also expressed enthusiasm about the growing involvement of women in para-cycling.
Mutuma welcomed the donation, noting its critical role in preparing Kenya’s cyclists for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a stepping stone toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“These bicycles are quite expensive, and this is a big boost for us,” Mutuma said, expressing optimism for more Kenyans to qualify for upcoming international competitions.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games will feature both track and para-track cycling events, while the Olympics will include para-track and para-road cycling.
