Cycloville Kenya

The cycling industry in Kenya has been slowly but surely growing over the past few years due to various reasons like rise in public transport fares in major towns, more competitive sporting events, need for fitness, leisure, sports tourism and easy access to cycling equipment. Unfortunately our cycling federation the Kenya Amateur Cycling Federation (KACF) has done very little to achieve this growth. That begs the questions, who is responsible for this growth? How will we drive further growth and development in the cycling industry in future? It seems these kind questions are not asked hard enough and accurately answered by those positioned to do so, the cyclists.

As cyclists we should realize that every generation helps make its own future, we carry the responsibility to improve our situation. We should be asking how do we want the cycling industry to look like 10 years from now? What must we do to achieve that future? Our cycling industry is quickly rising to a level where growth will be impossible without the help and support of an institution which unites and supports all levels of cycling. We desperately need to use our networks to unite cyclists from all parts of the country and think of ways to solve our problems. When divided we are powerless and voiceless. We need to select leaders amongst ourselves who are passionate about cycling and who will unite cyclists and push the cycling agenda forward. Leaders who will think of elevating our industry from amateur to a professional level, this kind of change cannot be realized by individual effort. We need to come up with and support organizations which will advocate for better cycling infrastructure, provide legal protections for cyclists, include cycling interests in new legislation, educate cyclists and motorists, increase public and political support for bicycling, communicate the health, environmental and social benefits of cycling for both individuals and communities.

The Kenya Amateur Cycling Federation (KACF) has failed to effectively carry out its responsibility. Many cyclists have been complaining of unfair treatment and disregard from the federation, because of this, we have lost some talented cyclists to other occupations or to foreign countries, a good example is Chriss Froome.  Our roads have been made in favour of transport systems designed for the motor vehicle, therefore, making cycling a dangerous affair for most road users, Very few races or events have been organized by the federation within the past ten years. There is also very little information about the federations internal affairs such as its yearly calendar, its elections, members, officials, its meetings, where it gets funding and how the funding is used and the criteria for selecting the national team. This kind of secrecy is a recipe for corruption within such organizations. We need to come up with functional cycling clubs which will Unite cyclists and take part in the development of cycling in our country. Trough the clubs, we can monitor and evaluate the performance of our cycling federation and ensure compliance with the set standards and guidelines in our cycling industry. The Kenya Amateur Cycling Federation also needs to facilitate and support upcoming clubs because this is where local talent can be tapped.

Kenyan cyclists need to stop complaining about the weaknesses of the cycling federation. Instead, we should look into ourselves and ask what role we can play as individuals, that way we can can think of ways to work with the federation and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to develop cycling in Kenya. Its up to us; nothing will change without the active participation of each and every cyclist. Right now we have the perfect opportunity to change our situation and improve our cycling industry. When we work as a team success is is guaranteed.