Age
17
Country of Residence
Kenya
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
My “aha” moment came when I realized that cycling alone was not as meaningful or enjoyable as sharing it with others. I started thinking about other young people in my community who had talents and energy but lacked opportunities, resources and positive spaces to grow. I realized that a bicycle could be more than a means of transport—it could become a pathway to friendship, leadership, confidence and opportunity. That realization inspired me to start Shujaa Cycling Club and create a platform where young people could come together, develop themselves and make a positive difference in their community.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
We encourage people to join by making our activities welcoming, visible and accessible to young people in the community. We use group cycling rides, community activities and social media to introduce people to Shujaa Cycling Club and explain how lack of opportunities can affect young people's growth and future. Existing members also invite their friends and encourage others to participate. We share our activities and achievements through social media and community networks so that more people can learn about the problem we are addressing and see the opportunities we are creating. As we grow, we plan to hold more community outreach activities, work with schools and youth organizations, partner with local cycling groups and use storytelling to highlight young people's talents and challenges. We also want our members to become ambassadors who can encourage other young people to get involved and take leadership roles.
How many people are on your team?
55
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
Shujaa Cycling Club is still at an early stage and also we have already started expanding, but we have already begun creating a positive impact by bringing young people together through cycling and community activities. We officially launched the club in August 2026 in Chemelil, and we have started organizing group rides that encourage young people to participate, build friendships, stay active and develop confidence. The project has also created opportunities for young people to take leadership and responsibility within the club, while connecting with experienced cyclists and potential partners. Through our activities, we are building a community where young people can discover their abilities and feel that their talents matter. As we grow, we will measure our impact through the number of young people participating, leadership opportunities created, partnerships developed, community activities organized, and young people connected to education, mentorship, sports and other opportunities. Our long-term goal is to expand beyond Muhoroni and create a wider network of empowered young people across Kenya.
Project Category
My project is an existing project that I started
Project Stage
Scaling (We’re expanding impact to new locations or in new and innovative ways)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
Shujaa Cycling Club is a youth-led community initiative in Muhoroni, Kenya, founded to create opportunities for young people through cycling, leadership, teamwork and community engagement. Many young people in our community have talents and potential but lack opportunities, resources and positive spaces to develop them. Through organized cycling rides, youth activities, mentorship, partnerships and community challenges, Shujaa Cycling Club brings young people together to build confidence
Project title
The Shujaa cycling club
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
The problem I am helping to solve is the lack of opportunities, resources and positive spaces for young people in my community. Many young people have talents and potential in sports, leadership and other areas, but without support and opportunities, those talents can remain undeveloped. This matters to me because I am a young person in the same community, and I have seen how having a positive activity and supportive people can change how young people see themselves and their future. Through Shujaa Cycling Club, I want to create a safe and welcoming platform where young people can connect, build confidence, develop leadership skills, stay active and discover new opportunities. I believe that when young people are given opportunities and trusted with responsibility, they can become part of the solution to challenges in their own communities.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
theshujaacyclingclub
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Over the next year, we plan to strengthen Shujaa Cycling Club in several key areas. First, we will organize regular cycling rides and youth activities in Muhoroni and Kisumu while improving our safety practices and access to basic cycling equipment. Second, we will strengthen our leadership structure by giving more members clear responsibilities and leadership opportunities. We will also build partnerships with cycling organizations, bike shops, sponsors, schools and youth-focused organizations to provide mentorship, equipment and new opportunities for our members. Third, we plan to expand the club to additional communities in Kenya while maintaining our youth-led approach. We will document our activities and measure our progress by tracking membership, rides, partnerships, leadership opportunities and young people reached. Our long-term goal is to make Shujaa Cycling Club a sustainable platform where cycling becomes a pathway to leadership, mentorship, skills development and opportunities for young people across Kenya.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
What makes Shujaa Cycling Club different is that we are not treating cycling only as a sport or recreational activity. We use the bicycle as a pathway to youth leadership, mentorship, confidence and community development. Our innovation is combining cycling with opportunities for young people to take leadership roles, organize activities, connect with experienced cyclists and mentors, and discover opportunities beyond sports. We are building a youth-led platform where young people are not just participants but also organizers and decision-makers. The model is also designed to be accessible to young people in communities where resources may be limited. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to us, we bring young people together, identify their talents and create opportunities around them. As the club grows, we plan to replicate this model in other communities across Kenya.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
Our solution is to use cycling as a pathway to youth empowerment and community development. Through Shujaa Cycling Club, we organize structured group rides and community activities that bring young people together in a positive environment. We give members opportunities to take responsibility, work as a team, develop confidence and leadership skills, and connect with mentors and potential partners. We also work to connect young people with opportunities beyond cycling, including mentorship, education, sports and entrepreneurship. As the club grows, we want to provide better access to bicycles and safety equipment, expand to more communities, and build partnerships that can create more opportunities for young people. Our approach is simple: identify young people's potential, bring them together, give them responsibility and support, and help them turn their talents into opportunities.
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
Our team members take different roles depending on their strengths and experience. Some help coordinate rides and routes, others support communication, member coordination, safety, partnerships and community activities. We also have members in both Muhoroni and Kisumu who help connect the club with young people in their communities. As the founder and CEO, I provide overall direction and coordinate the club, but I believe leadership should be shared. Team members are encouraging
