Thousands Turn Up for Annual Safaricom Diabetes Walk

The 12th edition of Safaricom Diabetes Walk took place today at the Carnivore grounds, with a call to Kenyans to adopt healthy lifestyles and get early diagnosis.

The walk comes at a time when the number of Kenyans suffering from undiagnosed diabetes continues to rise and is projected to increase from between 700,000 to 1.6 million by 2025.

The annual event organized by the Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre (DMI) aims to raise funds for provision of insulin for children aged 18 years and below from disadvantaged backgrounds living with diabetes as well as increase awareness of the condition.

“We are happy that over the years, our partnership with DMI has continued to create awareness of diabetes and the turn out today is an acknowledgement of the important role the partnership is playing in sensitizing the public on this disease.” Said George Mbyuki, head of Safaricom’s, Nairobi East Region.

Last year’s walk raised KES 15 million and this year's target is KES 20 million. So far 431 children have benefited from the diabetes management program with a further 20 to be added to the programme this year. 

Since its launch 15 years ago DMI Centre has been carrying out awareness campaigns that include community screening drives, training of school teachers and peer educators, as well as provision of insulin kits to children living with diabetes at no cost.

 “We still have a large number of people dying every year from diabetes-related complications. This is largely because of the wide gap between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, with many people only realizing that they are suffering from diabetes when it is too late and complications have set in.” said Esther Muchemi, Director DMI Centre.

Since 2005 Safaricom has donated over Kshs 45 million to support DMI’s efforts. This year, the telco donated Kshs 3 Million in support of the walk.

The 12th edition of Safaricom Diabetes Walk took place today at the Carnivore grounds, with a call to Kenyans to adopt healthy lifestyles and get early diagnosis.

The walk comes at a time when the number of Kenyans suffering from undiagnosed diabetes continues to rise and is projected to increase from between 700,000 to 1.6 million by 2025.

The annual event organized by the Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre (DMI) aims to raise funds for provision of insulin for children aged 18 years and below from disadvantaged backgrounds living with diabetes as well as increase awareness of the condition.

“We are happy that over the years, our partnership with DMI has continued to create awareness of diabetes and the turn out today is an acknowledgement of the important role the partnership is playing in sensitizing the public on this disease.” Said George Mbyuki, head of Safaricom’s, Nairobi East Region.

Last year’s walk raised KES 15 million and this year's target is KES 20 million. So far 431 children have benefited from the diabetes management program with a further 20 to be added to the programme this year. 

Since its launch 15 years ago DMI Centre has been carrying out awareness campaigns that include community screening drives, training of school teachers and peer educators, as well as provision of insulin kits to children living with diabetes at no cost.

 “We still have a large number of people dying every year from diabetes-related complications. This is largely because of the wide gap between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, with many people only realizing that they are suffering from diabetes when it is too late and complications have set in.” said Esther Muchemi, Director DMI Centre.

Since 2005 Safaricom has donated over Kshs 45 million to support DMI’s efforts. This year, the telco donated Kshs 3 Million in support of the walk.