South Sudan-Born Athlete Targets Historic Nairobi Marathon

NAIROBI, Kenya — October 4, 2026

South Sudan-born wheelchair athlete Michael Panther is preparing to make history by attempting the full 42-kilometre Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon while raising funds to provide wheelchairs for children with disabilities.

Panther plans to compete on October 25 using a specialized racing wheelchair he calls the “Red Ferrari.” While the event includes a 21-kilometre wheelchair race, he intends to complete the entire 42-kilometre marathon—a feat he says has not previously been achieved by a wheelchair participant at the Nairobi event.
His campaign aims to raise 10 million Kenyan shillings to fund about 200 customized pediatric wheelchairs. Panther is the founder of Hope Mobility, an organization that provides mobility equipment to people with disabilities.

Born in South Sudan and raised partly in Kenya, Panther later moved to the United States. He has participated in several wheelchair marathons, including the Chicago Marathon.

His Nairobi challenge brings together South Sudan sports, disability inclusion and humanitarian support while highlighting the achievements of South Sudanese in the diaspora.