Over 22 cyclists from East Africa were flagged off on Monday in Nairobi by East African Community Affairs Permanent Secretary Abdi Dubat, ahead of their Tuesday departure for Tanzania.
The cyclists, who have already covered 620 kilometers from Jinja, Uganda, are expected to race through a distance of 6,000 kilometers between Uganda,Kenya,Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi before culminating in Uganda.
Speaking on Monday after Flagging off the cyclists, Dubat commended the volunteer cyclists for their role in promoting East African integration, environmental conservation, and advocating for measures to combat climate change.
The PS also challenged the cyclists to ensure the 7th edition set for next year includes all seven member states of the East African Community.
“I am very impressed by the role played by the cyclist in promoting the objective of the EAC, and I pose this as a challenge to the organizer to consider racing through all seven member states.”
As a ministry, we are going to support the cyclists as we have done since they entered Kenya and ensure they are well catered for, during the time they are in the country until when they depart from Namanga border to Tanzania.” affirmed PS Dubat
This year’s cycling, dubbed ‘The Great Africa Cycling Safari, brought together 55 bikers who started during the flag-off at Jinja on August 1st and saw participants involved in tree planting exercises as a proactive measure of combating the effects of climate change.
22 Cyclists who are still in the race include 4 Rwandese,2 from Burundi,3 from the DRC ,3 Ugandans,2 Tanzanians and 8 Kenyans are expected to end their 55 day’s tour in Jinja Uganda on the 20th of next month.
