The Mountains for Medicine (M4M 4.0) Capstone Ride has entered its final stage after four days of endurance cycling across Kenya, as participants continue their mission to raise awareness and financial support for the Nia Davenport Medical Center in Uganda.
The Mountains for Medicine initiative was established by Davenport, an engineering consulting firm, in partnership with Sports Outreach Ministries (SOM) and its founder, Robert Katende. The initiative seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Nia Davenport Medical Center by supporting the delivery of quality healthcare services to hard-to-reach communities across Uganda.
Beyond providing medical care, the initiative also seeks to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by restoring hope and transforming lives through compassionate healthcare. The medical center serves vulnerable and underserved communities, providing treatment regardless of patients’ backgrounds or ability to pay.
Held annually, the cycling challenge raises awareness and mobilizes financial support for the facility. Last year, participants completed a 518-mile ride across Uganda, helping sustain the medical center’s operations and enabling it to continue serving thousands of people.
Although the event is traditionally held in Uganda, with riders cycling from Kenya to the Nia Davenport Medical Center in Kiwawu along the Mityana Road, this year’s edition was relocated entirely to Kenya following concerns over the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
The cyclists departed Nairobi on Saturday and covered more than 460 kilometres over three days to reach Busia, Kenya. They are now on the return leg of the journey to Nairobi, which is expected to take two days.
The seven-member team comprises six men and one woman, all of whom travelled from the United States to participate in the charity ride.
This year’s campaign aims to raise US$300,000 to purchase medical equipment and essential medicines for the Nia Davenport Medical Center.
Addressing the media, Sports Outreach Ministries Chief Executive Officer Robert Katende thanked God for guiding the team throughout the journey.
“We thank God for enabling us to complete this stage safely,” Katende said.
Pastor Francis Juma, Director of Sports in Kenya, also expressed gratitude for God’s protection over the riders and the successful completion of the first leg of the expedition.
Dr. Michael Nsimbi of the Nia Davenport Medical Center thanked all individuals and organizations supporting the fundraising campaign, noting that their contributions will help save lives by improving access to quality healthcare.
Speaking during a media briefing at a forest resort in Kenya on Tuesday evening, the seven cyclists expressed appreciation to the organizers for leading an initiative that combines sport, humanitarian service, and Christian ministry.
The riders said that although this year’s route had changed, the mission remained unchanged: to mobilize support for the Nia Davenport Medical Center and strengthen its commitment to delivering quality healthcare to underserved communities.
This year’s Capstone Ride once again highlights the dedication, endurance, and compassion of the participants, who continue to use sport as a platform for humanitarian service while advancing access to healthcare across East Africa.
The team is undertaking a demanding 503-mile (approximately 810-kilometre) cross-country ride through the Kenyan highlands. The route began in Nairobi and the surrounding conservancies before passing through central and western Kenya toward the Uganda border and back to Nairobi .
