The first attempt to plan the journey…
I am embarking on an inspiring journey from Lake Victoria to Watamu on a Kenyan-built electric motorbike. I aim to explore Kenya’s beauty while raising funds for impactful community projects. This challenge tests the Roam Electric motorbike’s capabilities and highlights Kenya’s beauty and diversity while raising funds for the 2025 Whackstar Challenge, bringing connection to the unconnected.
Route Overview
The journey begins on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya, traverses through the Great Rift Valley, and concludes at the picturesque beaches of Watamu on the Indian Ocean. This route covers approximately 850 kilometres and includes urban centres, rural landscapes, and challenging terrains.
Here is the proposed daily itinerary:
Day 1: Homa Bay to Kakamega
- Distance: 154 km
- Duration: ~6 hours (including recharging stops)
- Highlights: Stunning views of Lake Victoria and vibrant community interactions along the way.
Day 2: Kakamega to Iten
- Distance: 139 km
- Duration: ~5.5 hours (including recharging stops)
- Highlights: Scenic landscapes and the unique high-altitude training atmosphere of Iten.
Day 3: Iten to Mukutan (via Lake Baringo)
- Distance: 145 km
- Duration: ~6 hours (including recharging stops)
- Highlights: Stunning views of Lake Baringo and the serene landscapes of Mukutan.
Day 4: Mukutan to Wamba
- Distance: 179 km
- Duration: ~8 hours (testing the full range of the bike’s battery)
- Highlights: Testing endurance and enjoying the rugged beauty of Wamba.
Day 5: Wamba to Magado
- Distance: 163 km
- Duration: ~7 hours
- Highlights: Scenic routes through semi-arid landscapes and connecting with vibrant communities in Magado.
Day 6: Magado to Mado Gashi
- Distance: 136 km
- Duration: ~6 hours
- Highlights: Traversing remote areas with unique cultural encounters in Mado Gashi.
Day 7: Mado Gashi to Garissa
- Distance: 158 km
- Duration: ~7 hours
- Highlights: Paying respects to Garissa in memory of the tragic university shooting over a decade ago and engaging with the local community.
Day 8: Garissa to Hola
- Distance: 149 km
- Duration: ~6.5 hours
- Highlights: Exploring the rich cultural heritage and serene landscapes of Hola.
Day 9: Hola to Kigini
- Distance: 171 km
- Duration: ~7.5 hours
- Highlights: Navigating through expansive landscapes and engaging with communities in Kigini.
Day 10: Kigini to Watamu
- Distance: 195 km
- Duration: ~9 hours
- Highlights: The longest journey ride, concluding at the Arusha Field Center in Watamu to complete the challenge. It’s all downhill, but will the motorbike make it on one charge?
Recharge Strategy
One of the critical aspects of this challenge is managing the Roam Electric motorbike’s battery life. The bike has an estimated range of 180 km per charge under optimal conditions. Here’s how I plan to manage recharges:
- Charging Points: I haven’t fully mapped charging opportunities yet, but I’m actively seeking recommendations from the community.
- Overnight Stays: Along the journey, I am seeking lodges, communities, and individuals who can host us overnight and provide access to power for recharging the bike.
- Recharge Time: The bike takes approximately 6-8 hours to recharge fully. I’ll use these breaks to engage with local communities, share the ride’s vision, and document the journey.
Making a Difference
Throughout 2025, I aim to give away 24 solar systems and 5 internet connections to deserving communities and families. During the ride, I plan to distribute some of these systems along the route, bringing light and connectivity to those in need, by offering solar systems to provide reliable power and internet connections to enhance education, communication, and access to information.
Engagement Plan
Throughout the ride, I will document the experience on my YouTube channel and share updates on social media. I aim to:
- Highlight the benefits of sustainable transportation.
- Showcase the communities and landscapes along the route.
- Share stories of the projects this challenge supports.
How You Can Help
This journey isn’t just about completing the ride. It is about encouraging people to make a difference. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Suggest Routes: If you have ideas for better or more impactful routes, please share them.
- Host Us: If you or someone you know is along our route and can provide an overnight stay and charging facilities, please get in touch with us.
- Buy Me a Coffee: Visit our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page to sponsor systems outright or contribute through monthly subscriptions to support our work. We have already given away two systems and provided internet to two projects.
- Spread the Word: Share the story of this ride and its purpose with your networks.
- Partner or Donate: Help fund the projects, support the ride’s logistics, or sponsor a solar system or internet connection to be given away on the journey.
Let’s make this journey a testament to the power of innovation, sustainability, and community spirit. Your input and support can make all the difference in making this challenge a success.