Thika hosts the first-ever “Strides for Africa” Walkathon in Kenya, calls for stronger support for local businesses

Thika business community and residents over the weekend turned out in large numbers for the “Strides for Africa” Walkathon, a colorful and spirited event that championed support for local, ethical and eco-friendly businesses.

Organised by the World Fair Trade Organisation – Africa & Middle East, in partnership with Thika Municipality, the Thika District Business Association (TDBA) and Gsmart Events and Marketing Solutions Ltd, the 5.5-kilometre community walk was held under the theme “Buy Local, Build Africa.”

This year marked the fifth edition of the Strides for Africa Walkathon since its inception in 2020 and for the very first time, the event was hosted in Kenya, with Thika chosen as the symbolic location alongside South Africa. The walk was not only a show of unity but also a rallying call to embrace sustainable trade practices and empower homegrown enterprises as drivers of Africa’s economic future.

Speaking during the event, Bernard Outa, a representative of the World Fair Trade Organisation – Africa & Middle East, emphasised that the walkathon goes beyond being a community exercise.

“This walkathon is not just a walk, but an effort to encourage trade that is fair, ethical, and sustainable. It is about creating market opportunities for businesses while connecting them with consumers. These interactions give entrepreneurs a chance to understand what consumers want, and to adapt their products and services to meet those needs,” he said.

His colleague Obed Tum reinforced the same message, urging Africans to rethink their economic choices.

“The goal of the walkathon is to rally citizens and enlighten them on the importance of buying locally produced goods. When you buy local, it has a trickle-down effect. You support businesses, families and job creation. Africa doesn’t need foreign aid; Africa needs opportunities. By supporting local enterprises, we are building these opportunities and strengthening our economy,” he noted.

On his part, Thika Municipal Manager, Gathii Kanyi, hailed the partnership between Kiambu County Government and the World Fair Trade Organisation that began in 2022, noting that it has helped in building the capacity of small traders and startups. He pointed out that the county has been working to integrate small, medium and large businesses within the central business district to coexist harmoniously.

“For example, we allow hawkers and informal traders to operate within the CBD after 6pm, while formal businesses run during the day. We are also converting public facilities into economic hubs, with business stalls around Thika Stadium and modern kiosks at Makongeni Bus Park,” Kanyi explained.

The chairman of TDBA, Alfred Wanyoike, used the platform to push for broader continental reforms. He called on African leaders through the African Union (AU) to eliminate trade barriers across the continent and open up Africa as a free trade area for its own people.

“Africa has a population of over 1.3 billion people, a ready market for our own goods and services. We must eliminate trade barriers and build a single continental market. At the same time, we must challenge our producers to improve quality and governments to promote value addition, instead of exporting raw materials only to import finished goods at high prices,” he said.

Business leaders Felista Wairimu and Loreen Akech further rallied the government to create a more conducive environment for entrepreneurs, stressing the need for fair taxation that does not stifle startups and small businesses. They also called for incentives to attract investors and encourage production in line with fair trade sustainability.

By the end of the event, it was clear that the first-ever Strides for Africa Walkathon in Kenya had achieved more than just bringing the community together for a cause. It sparked a broader conversation on the role of local enterprises, fair trade practices and supportive policies in shaping Africa’s future. The walk, while symbolic, underscored a powerful message: building Africa begins with buying and supporting Africa.