The Tharaka University Endowment Fund Charity Walk has come to a successful conclusion.
Isaac Gacugo, the 83-year-old Tharaka University’s brand ambassador for the walk to raise Sh50 million, completed the final lap of the 530-kilometre journey on Wednesday amid calls for well-wishers to support the University’s Endorsement Fund campaign.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Muriungi, congratulated the veteran marathon walker for the “good job” and thanked everyone who supported the fundraising drive to establish an Endowment Fund to support the needy students.
Prof. Muriungi reiterated the University’s commitment to ensuring that every student gets an opportunity to graduate and contribute to national development.
“We are very happy to have succeeded in this event because at Tharaka University we want every child to graduate and go out there and contribute meaningfully to nation building,” he said.
TUN Council Member, Miss Edita Njue said:
‘To walk 530km is not a joke. Mr Gacugo decided to print his feet in Mount Kenya to raise funds for vulnerable students. As a community we shall support you.’
The walk, which was flagged off at the University’s main campus on August 3, covered Meru, Nanyuki, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi counties.
Mr. Gacugo said he was inspired by the hurdles he witnessed students encounter in meeting their educational costs.
“I came here and saw the school fees challenges and told the Vice Chancellor to let me walk and raise funds to help our students,” he said.
Mr. Gacugo’s final stretch of the walk started on Tuesday at Tharaka Nithi County headquarters in Kathwana to Marimanti where he rested overnight before completing the 530km-walk yesterday at 10.45am.
The Tharaka University community, including staff, students and the public showed up in large numbers to help Mr. Gacugo finish the last 9.2km from Marimanti town to the University grounds.
The walk attracted broad backing from the counties, university community and well-wishers.
Tharaka Nithi County Clerk Paul Mwenda Thirika praised Mr. Gacugo for turning his concern over student challenges into an initiative to uplift others.
Kiambu Golf Club Chairman, Mr. Charles Wanjira Ngatia, who has supported the initiative since its launch, said the University has set an example for others to emulate.
This is what great universities in the world do, Havard and the like. You have a resilient University. One of a kind. You are creating the pace for other universities to learn from you,” he said.
“In this world there is a field that we can all excel in, and in this world if you want to excel, then choose to be kind,” he said.
Tharaka Women Welfare Executive Director Acintah Kiriga said the fundraiser was timely, adding that they had partnered with the University to fund education with 18 students currently benefiting from scholarships.
Speaking during the event, Leonard Gitonga, MCA Nkondi Ward, urged the community to support those facing financial hardships. He encouraged beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunities presented to them before extending similar support to others.
“We are so much indebted to this university because some of us are who we are because of this great institution hence why we always support every cause from this institution,” he said.
Ms Ann Mbathi represented Tharaka MP George Murugara.
She presented the MP’s contribution to the Endowment Fund initiative.
Yetu Sacco and Transnational Sacco also presented their donations to the Endowment Fund during the function. Also present were the local security chiefs, Tharaka South Sub-County Police Commander Nyamai Mbandu and Tharaka North Sub-County AP Commander Robert Macharia.
Tharaka University appeals to individuals, organisations, corporates, alumni and well-wishers to support the Endowment Fund to provide sustainable educational support to needy students.
The main fundraising event is set for December 11, 2026, at Safari Park hotel in Nairobi.
