Nairobi: Meet Team of Deaf Kenyans Using Cycling as a Movement of Visibility and Pride
- In a world that often silences them, deaf cyclists are making themselves heard in an initiative aimed at changing the narrative
- With every ride across the streets, they defy stereotypes and prove that strength speaks louder than sound
- Their journey is not just about sport; it’s a bold statement of dignity, unity, and determination, one pedal at a time
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Every weekend, under the soft glow of the Kenyan sunrise, a group of cyclists gears up for a journey that’s more than just physical.
Source: UGC
They ride with grit in their legs and purpose in their hearts, among them, individuals whose silence speaks louder than words.
Audiologist Dr Richard Mwangi told TUKO.co.ke that the riders are from Doctors of Hearing, and behind each face is a story that challenges what society thinks it knows about deafness.
Kevin Oduor's story
For 25-year-old Kevin Oduor, the bicycle was never just a toy; it was freedom.
Born deaf in Kisumu, Kevin struggled through a childhood marked by misunderstanding and marginalisation.
“People thought I was dumb, even lazy,” he shares through a sign language interpreter. “In school, I was always the outsider.”
His parents, unable to afford specialised education, placed him in a mainstream school where communication was nearly impossible.
But everything changed when Kevin met Mwangi, an audiologist and cycling enthusiast, as he introduced him to the cycling program.
Kevin joined the team not knowing much about cycling, but he quickly rose through the ranks, finding not only physical strength but emotional healing.
“When I ride, I feel seen,” he says. “I feel equal.”
Salma Ali
Then there’s Salma Ali, a 30-year-old mother of one from Mombasa who lost her hearing in her late teens due to meningitis.
The abrupt shift from hearing to deafness plunged her into depression.
“My world fell silent — and so did my friends,” she says. "People didn’t know how to be around me anymore." For years, Salma stayed indoors, ashamed and isolated.
She found the cycling team online during a desperate search for community.
At first, she was scared as she had never been on a bike before. But today, Salma is one of the most consistent riders in the team, known for her stamina and warm leadership.
“This team gave me back my life,” she says. “Now, when people stare, it’s with admiration.”
Joseph Muiruri
Joseph “Jay” Muiruri, a 19-year-old from Nakuru, is the youngest in the group and often called the team’s “rocket.” Born deaf and raised by a single mother, Jay was an easy target for bullies.
“People didn’t understand my potential; they only saw my silence,” he signs. But his speed on the bike tells another story.
Nicknamed “The Whispering Wind,” Jay has dreams of representing Kenya in international cycling competitions someday.
Jay sees the team as more than a sport.
“It’s a message,” he says. “We are showing the world that being deaf is not a weakness. We are strong, fast, and focused.”
Source: UGC
Cycling for change
These personal stories, stitched together by shared silence and strength, are what make the riders more than just a cycling team.
In an earlier interview, Mwangi shared that the initiative was born out of a desire to promote inclusion among the deaf.
He told TUKO.co.ke that he hopes to use the sport to help deaf participants build physical endurance, mental strength, and social confidence.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
