Nairobi Woman Leads Emotional Charge in Historic Run for Seniors to Honour Late Grandma
- Over 1,000 spirited runners hit the streets of Nairobi to raise funds for restoring dignity and care to Kenya’s vulnerable elderly population
- Notable among them was 27-year-old Grace Naliaka, who is still reeling from the pain of watching her elderly grandma die, yet she couldn't help
- For her, this was a deeply personal tribute to Mama Achieng, and a chance to make sure someone else’s grandmother doesn’t go through what hers did
Over 1,000 spirited runners hit the streets of Nairobi, not just for fitness, but for a noble cause: restoring dignity and care to Kenya’s vulnerable elderly population.
Source: UGC
The inaugural ‘Run for Seniors’, organised by Mama Ibado Charity (MIC), sought to raise funds for over 1,000 seniors in Isiolo and Kakamega counties.
How many kilometres did Naliaka run?
The organisers told TUKO.co.ke that the race featured 5km, 10km, and 15km races, attracting participants from all walks of life, backgrounds, and ages.
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However, none stood out quite like Grace Naliaka and her team of five friends, who ran under the name Team Nani.
For the 27-year-old, this wasn’t just a run but a deeply personal tribute to Mama Achieng, who passed away last year after a long battle with illness and poverty in her final years.
“This run gave me something I didn’t know I needed,” she said, fighting back tears. “A chance to honour her, and to make sure someone else’s grandmother doesn’t go through what mine did.”
Naliaka ran with team of friends
Clad in matching T-shirts bearing her grandmother’s name, the group drew attention and admiration from fellow runners and spectators alike.
Naliaka added that every step of the race was meant for her, reminding her of the elderly woman's struggles in her twilight days.
“She inspired us all,” said one of the volunteers. “It wasn’t about speed, it was about spirit.”
The event, flagged off by Supreme Court Judge and Mama Ibado Charity Director, Hon Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, was as heartwarming as it was energising.
Funds raised will support elderly Kenyans
Among the top sponsors was 748 Air Services, whose Managing Director, Moses Mwangi, announced the initiative had raised over KSh 11 million in cash and kind.
Mwangi called for sustained commitment, reiterating the need for Kenyans to give attention to the elderly in society.
"They deserve basic needs: food, healthcare, and a life of dignity,” he said.
As the runners crossed the finish line, some with medals, others with memories, the atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, pride, and hope.
But the real winners were the seniors, many of whom will now receive food baskets and essential medical care thanks to the success of this race.
Source: UGC
Grace Naliaka's painful story
As for Naliaka, she’s not done, and she hopes to use the event to keep their memories alive through action, love, and showing up.
In an earlier interview with TUKO.co.ke, a heartbroken Naliaka recounted losing her grandma, who died quietly in her sleep at 84.
She disclosed that in the last years of her life, she watched her health deteriorate because they couldn’t afford proper care.
What bothered her the most was that Mama Achieng raised and gave her everything, but in the end, she couldn’t give her the dignity she deserved.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
