Tharaka University launches KSh 500 million scholarship fund drive with 530km charity walk
The Mt Kenya Times 
Tenri Group of Hospitals CEO Dr. Jim Njamiu, PhD, HSC, flags off Tharaka University's 530-kilometre charity walk. He is flanked by Tharaka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Kinyua Muriungi during the flag-off ceremony.
The 16-day expedition, led by 83-year-old marathoner Mzee Isaac Gacugo, will traverse seven counties in a bid to build a sustainable revolving fund for needy students
By Dennis Mutua
Tharaka University has launched an ambitious campaign to raise KSh 500 million for a revolving scholarship fund, kicking it off with a 530-kilometre charity walk around Mt Kenya to rally support for financially disadvantaged students.
The 16-day walk was flagged off yesterday by Tenri Group of Hospitals and Mwendani Media Group chief executive Jim Njamiu, and is being led by 83-year-old marathoner Mzee Isaac Gacugo. The expedition will traverse seven counties before concluding on August 19.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Tharaka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Kinyua Muriungi said the walk is the opening act of a broader fundraising campaign that will culminate in a gala dinner on December 11.
“We are planning to have a fundraising dinner on December 11 this year, so today’s walk is a build-up event to create awareness that Tharaka University cares for the vulnerable,” Muriungi said. “We want to raise around KSh 500 million to establish a revolving fund where we will be using the interest and not the principal amount, so that the fund remains sustainable for generations.”
He said the fund will finance scholarships for financially disadvantaged students while also strengthening mentorship, student support services and talent development programmes at the university.
Njamiu used the occasion to encourage students and young people not to be discouraged by unemployment, saying opportunities remain within reach for those who stay disciplined and hardworking.
“Opportunities are always there, and if you don’t seize them, they have wings and will fly away,” he said. “Position yourself by being disciplined and hardworking, because nothing can replace hard work.”
He also paid tribute to Mzee Isaac, praising the veteran marathoner’s continued commitment to community causes.
“We have been with him in many initiatives to help the needy. He is teaching us that age is not a barrier to purpose — at 83 years and still running strong, he is truly an inspiration,” Njamiu said.
For his part, Mzee Isaac urged students to shun drug abuse, warning that it continues to wreck the futures of young people. He challenged scholarship beneficiaries to embrace discipline and listen to their elders, noting that the current generation faces real and growing challenges in that regard.
He also appealed to the public to contribute whatever they can afford to help make the campaign a success.
The walk will take the team from Tharaka University through Meru, Nanyuki, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu and Chuka, before looping back — a total distance of 530 kilometres.
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