Standard Chartered Kenya has partnered with Hope Mobility Kenya in a campaign that will see Michael Panther, founder of the organisation, take on the 42-kilometre Nairobi Marathon on Sunday, 25 October.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsPanther will participate in the marathon in a first-of-its-kind professional racing wheelchair, seeking to raise funds to acquire at least 200 custom-fitted paediatric wheelchairs for children living with disability.22.00: (2.60) Slavia Praha (3.35) Lens (2.70)Hope Mobility Kenya is a charity organisation that fabricates and distributes approximately 3,500 wheelchairs to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya.Using the professional wheelchair christened 'the Red Ferrari', Panther says he hopes to give children a lease of life by handing them a chance to access education, health care and a social life.“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 an education, health care and a glimpse into friendships with their peers,” he said.Refugee team set for historic Youth Olympics debut in DakarThrough his lived experience as a PWD, Panther says challenging himself to participate in the race is not proof of athleticism but a historic quest to influence policy and decision-makers to come together for a course that has long-term impacts on children’s lives.Regina Mukiri, Head of Community Engagement and Impact, Kenya and Africa at Standard Chartered, said sport should be open to everyone and through the marathon, the organisers were providing an inclusive platform where athletes of all abilities can participate and be recognised.##NAJAVA_MECA_9947916##"Michael Panther’s historic challenge reflects our Here for Good promise and our commitment to a more inclusive society where every child can thrive," she offered.Disability inclusion is an increasingly prominent feature of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. The event includes a dedicated 21-kilometre wheelchair race and has steadily improved accessibility through inclusive training, sign-language interpretation, enhanced ramps and tailored race-day support.In 2025, it welcomed 184 wheelchair athletes and more than 80 participants with other disabilities, up from 153 participants with disabilities in 2024. This progress reinforces the Marathon’s role as a platform where athletes of all abilities can compete and be recognised.Kenya’s first Sports Registrar retires after 11 years of serviceFunds raised through the campaign will enable Hope Mobility Kenya to manufacture and distribute specialised paediatric wheelchairs guided by the World Health Organisation's recommended eight-step wheelchair service process, ensuring each child receives a wheelchair that is properly assessed, fitted and safe for long-term use.In Kenya, according to the National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD), there is a shortfall of approximately 550,000 wheelchairs and assistive mobility devices, with 200,000 being children.22.00: (2.60) Slavia Praha (3.35) Lens (2.70)“Each of these specialised, life-changing wheelchairs costs roughly Ksh50,000. When we provide a child with a custom-fitted wheelchair, following the WHO 8-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 added.For every kilometre, Panther seeks to raise Ksh1,000 from individual well-wishers, while corporate partners can support the campaign by donating any amount.Former KCB forward explains why he ditched Kenyan league for South Africa's PSL
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