- What would make a top-flight goalkeeper leave the comfort of the pitch and take on a 378-kilometre bicycle ride across seven counties?
- For Mukolwe Edwin Omwabani, the three-day journey from Kakamega to Nairobi was not about fitness or publicity, but a private test of grit, faith and self-belief
- Through rain, steep hills and a punishing final day, he rode to prove to himself that he can do hard things on the road and in life
When Mukolwe Edwin Omwabani finally rolled into Nairobi on his bicycle, it was not just the end of a long road but the completion of a deeply personal journey of endurance, reflection and resolve.
Source: Facebook
Known in football circles as Mpambanaji, the Nairobi City Stars FC goalkeeper had cycled more than 378 kilometres from Kakamega to the capital.
Why Edwin rode for 3 days
The treacherous journey saw him crossing seven counties in three gruelling days, propelled not by competition, but by conviction.
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For Edwin, whose career involves muscle and tenacity, the journey was as much about the mind as it was about the body.
Battling rain and sunshine, steep hills and endless stretches of tarmac, he pushed on through exhaustion and doubt, especially on what he describes as a particularly challenging third day.
Each pedal stroke became a quiet reminder of his own strength and capacity to endure, even in moments he battled challenges.
Day 3, for instance, started off with a puncture, then some drag on the rear breaks and then a faulty gear, compounded by the gradient at Kinungi Hill.
“It was a clear depiction of what life is all about,” he reflected, noting the unequal ups and downs mirrored in the changing terrain and weather.
When did Edwin start cycling to Nairobi?
The ride, which started on December 23 and ended on Boxing Day, was his longest ever and deliberately set as a personal test.
Edwin says he took on the challenge to remind himself that he can do hard things, withstand pressure, and persevere through whatever life throws his way.
As he prepares for the next phase of his life and career, the journey has left him with renewed belief and gratitude for the encouragement he received along the way.
Now, with Nairobi behind him and new adventures already on the horizon for 2026, his message is simple and quietly powerful: you are capable, and you can push through.
Source: Facebook
Frank Furo Ouna
“Wow. Ni vile cycling is not my hobby. I would have taken up such a challenge. Well done, jagoal.”
Weboko Boaz
“Congratulations, you deserve it a name at City Hall.It is not a mean fit. That’s the spirit of resilience.”
Biker rides from South Africa to Kenya
Meanwhile, Waqho Hassan Boru, the famous biker affectionately known as Mustapha Konvict, triumphantly rode across five countries for a week.
Mustafa rode through South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya on a budget of KSh 230,000, although he only used half of it.
His journey from South Africa to Kenya took seven days, spanning 6000km, with each day seeing him cover between 800km and 1000km.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
