24-hour burpee challenge at Karen mall to support Kenyans with disabilities

This weekend, The Hub Karen Mall will host a one-of-a-kind fitness challenge that will run nonstop for 24 hours to raise funds and awareness for Kenyans living with disabilities.

The event begins at 11.00 am on Saturday, September 20, and will end at the same time on Sunday. It will be led by Jonathan Leonard, a Kenyan-born former British Army soldier, who plans to spend an entire day doing burpees.

Leonard is the founder of the Mazoezi for Mobility Challenge, an initiative that supports people with disabilities. He says the idea was born out of admiration for their determination to overcome daily struggles.

Now working as a Crisis and Security Consultant in East Africa, Leonard returned home after more than ten years abroad and felt compelled to make a difference.

Nearly one in ten Kenyans lives with a disability, according to recent estimates. Many face challenges that limit their mobility, restrict opportunities, and undermine their dignity.

Organisers say the event is not just about fitness but also about bringing the community together. “At The Hub, Karen, community means showing up for one another, and this event is all about standing with persons with disabilities.

We welcome families, fitness enthusiasts, and shoppers to join the challenge or cheer from the sidelines, while enjoying great food, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere all weekend,”  Jacobus Visser, the mall’s General Manager, said.

The weekend will feature a live DJ, food and drinks, and discounts from several outlets within the mall. Families and fitness fans can either take part in the challenge or make contributions through an M-Changa fundraiser.

Proceeds from the event will go to Riziki Source and the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK), groups that supply mobility aids, promote inclusion, and help create jobs for people with disabilities.

The fitness drive has received backing from several partners, including Furniture Palace, SmartGyms, Adidas, Healthy U, Decathlon, and USN, which all operate at The Hub Karen Mall.