How Bicycles are Improving Community Health in Kitui County, Kenya
On World Bicycle Day, we recognize the simple yet transformative role a bicycle can play in expanding access to healthcare and improving livelihoods. In the communities we serve, distance is often one of the greatest barriers to seeking and delivering health care. That’s why CMMB partners with World Bicycle Relief (WBR) to mobilize Kenya’s community health promoters with the power of bicycles.
Today, we’re proud to share the story of one of these community health champions, whose impact in Kitui County—a rural area located almost three hours outside of Nairobi—has grown by two wheels and a mission to serve.
Wheels of Change in Mwingi North
Joseph, a community health promoter, checks in on Hellen and her newborn baby to assess their health and wellness.
Joseph, who has been a community health promoter since 2016, is pivotal in his community, forging strong, supportive relationships with his neighbors and those he serves. He is in charge of reaching 150 households, some located almost a mile from his home, with basic medical care and life-changing health knowledge. His mission faced significant hurdles, especially before a partnership between CMMB, World Bicycle Relief, and the County Government of Kitui. Previously, Joseph grappled with the challenges of scheduling home visits. At first, families did not consider his visits a priority, especially when they had to be out focused on making an income. The long distances over rugged terrain that Joseph walked made it nearly impossible to meet with families at their convenience. It became difficult to address the critical issues facing his community, such as malnutrition, inconsistent prenatal care visits among pregnant women, and new mothers’ challenges with breastfeeding.
However, everything changed in April 2024. With the arrival of his sturdy all-terrain Buffalo Bicycle, Joseph’s capacity to serve his community expanded dramatically. He now reaches 100 households monthly—an increase from only 20 to 30 a month before the bicycle. His route, which once drained his energy to traverse, is now a manageable obstacle, made easier by the ability to ride downhill. This newfound mobility allowed him to respond more effectively to the health challenges his community faced. Joseph expresses deep gratitude to CMMB and its partners for this life-changing support.
The terrain Joseph traverses as a community health promoter is often unpaved and bumpy. The Buffalo Bikes are engineered to handle the environment he serves in.
Our partnership with World Bicycle Relief and the County Government of Kitui, provided bicycles to 370 community health promoters in Kitui County’s Mwingi North and Mwingi Central sub-counties. This distribution of bicycles was part of a broader effort to bridge the mobility gap for more than 2,400 community health promoters in Kitui County, with 761 having already received bicycles. CMMB and World Bicycle Relief also donated bicycles to 445 community health promoters across underserved Migori and Siaya Counties.
At Kalatine Dispensary, where Joseph refers his patients to, the impact of his work is evident. His visits have led to an increase in prenatal care visits, from 24 to 34 per month. Festus, the nursing officer in charge at the facility, notes a significant improvement in community engagement. Before the bicycle donation, health education sessions suffered low turnout among community members. Now, thanks to the efforts of community health promoters like Joseph who mobilize attendance, these sessions are attended by more than 100 people.
During a visit to one of Joseph’s regular households, we met Hellen, who shared her experiences. She spoke of the training and support she received from Joseph, particularly in accessing clean and safe drinking water, understanding the importance of antenatal visits, and how to achieve a more diverse and nourishing diet while breastfeeding. The bicycle, a simple yet powerful tool, has amplified Joseph’s impact, turning dedication into measurable change. Together, CMMB and World Bicycle Relief aren’t just providing transportation; they’re helping Joseph bridge the distance between communities and lifesaving healthcare.
