Kennedy Ogada: Paralympian

The Paralympics have just come to an end, and I couldn’t be prouder of Kennedy Ogada’s performance, despite the challenges we faced along the way. Kennedy finished 11th in the Time Trial and, unfortunately, didn’t finish the road race. This came just two weeks after a devastating collision with a car during training, which left his original pilot, Benson Mwaniki, with a fractured spine and shoulder.

In true Kennedy fashion, he refused to let this setback define his Paralympic debut. Stepping in at the last minute, former rugby player and now triathlete, Oscar Dennis, became his new pilot. With only days to familiarise themselves with each other, their performance was nothing short of heroic. Oscar’s ability to adapt and commit under such pressure was amazing, and I am incredibly grateful for his dedication.

Kennedy and I first connected at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022, during the track events held in London. He was piloted by Peter Mwangi at that time, and from the moment I saw his potential, I knew we were going to go far together. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of supporting him through several competitions, including the World Championships in Glasgow last year. Just a few months ago, Kennedy secured 1st place in the Time Trial and 2nd in the road race at the African Championships. His talent is undeniable.

This year’s Paralympics marked the first time Kenya had a cyclist in the Games, and with the new focus on cycling within the Kenyan Paralympic Committee, I am confident it won’t be the last. Thanks to the committee’s efforts and my involvement, we now have two brand new tandems, one for road and one for track, both sourced from Dolan Bikes. These new resources open up exciting opportunities for future athletes.

Although the bike I built for Kennedy was damaged in the crash, we’ll have it back up and running soon. This journey has been full of highs and lows, but I know that Kennedy’s resilience and determination will lead him to even greater success. His journey is far from over, and I am honoured to be a part of it. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come for Kennedy Ogada and the future of Kenyan para-cycling.