Martin Mumo, Head of Tax at Centum Investment Company Plc, plans to climb Mount Everest in 2027 to attract international support for a KSh130 million initiative aimed at improving tourism infrastructure on Mount Kenya.
The expedition is part of Mumo’s personal ambition to summit all 14 mountains worldwide that exceed 8,000 metres in elevation. However, he also intends to use the challenge to promote Mount Kenya as a leading global mountaineering destination.
Mumo made progress towards his goal in November 2025 after successfully reaching the summit of Ama Dablam in Nepal, one of the Himalayas’ most technically challenging peaks.
As Programme Ambassador for the Centum Foundation’s Friends of Mount Kenya Initiative, he hopes to leverage his planned Everest expedition to mobilise US$1 million, approximately KSh130 million, over five years for tourism development, conservation and economic empowerment around Mount Kenya.
Mumo said the expedition presented an opportunity to advance a cause beyond his personal mountaineering ambitions, noting that Mount Kenya had played a significant role in his life.
He added that he wanted to help transform the mountain into one of the world’s premier mountaineering destinations.
Standing at 5,199 metres, Mount Kenya is Africa’s second-highest mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its catchment area provides water to more than seven million people, supporting agriculture, electricity generation, water security and local livelihoods.
The mountain also sustains an adventure tourism industry that creates employment for mountain guides, porters, accommodation providers, transport operators and businesses in neighbouring communities.
According to Mumo, investing in better facilities and services would enable Mount Kenya to attract more tourists while improving visitor experiences and expanding economic opportunities for residents.
He identified improved accommodation, hiking trails, sanitation, communication networks and emergency response services as essential upgrades needed to bring the mountain’s tourism infrastructure in line with international standards.
Mount Kenya Initiative Targets Thousands of Jobs
The Friends of Mount Kenya Initiative will initially prioritise improved connectivity, trail marking, sanitation facilities, emergency response systems and visitor information services.
The programme will also support the professional development of mountain guides and porters, with more extensive infrastructure projects, including accommodation facilities, planned for subsequent phases.
The initiative’s economic projections are based on a scenario in which annual visitor numbers to Mount Kenya increase to 100,000.
Under this model, tourism spending could generate between KSh4.4 billion and KSh6.6 billion annually, supporting an estimated 5,300 to 7,800 direct and indirect jobs across tourism and related industries.
The projections further indicate that the government could collect between KSh660 million and KSh1.05 billion in annual revenue, while small and medium-sized enterprises could generate between KSh890 million and KSh1.55 billion in business revenue.
Mumo said the mountain represented both a conservation priority and an economic asset whose potential could be developed sustainably to benefit businesses and communities.
The programme also intends to establish an annual Friends of Mount Kenya Summit to attract funding, assess progress and bring together stakeholders interested in expanding the mountain’s tourism potential.
Government Endorses Mount Kenya Tourism Partnership
The initiative received government backing in October 2026 after Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano endorsed a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and the Centum Foundation.
The endorsement followed months of consultations with the Magical Kenya rebranding taskforce, led by MaryAnn Musangi. The engagements sought to strengthen Kenya’s international tourism profile and position Mount Kenya more prominently in the global adventure tourism market.
Mumo described the endorsement as a significant step towards securing funding and implementing the programme after months of consultations and planning.
Under the proposed partnership, the Centum Foundation will oversee fundraising, programme implementation, governance and impact reporting in collaboration with corporate organisations, development partners, conservation institutions and local communities.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will identify and implement priority projects within Mount Kenya National Park in accordance with its conservation responsibilities and park management mandate.
The initiative is designed to complement existing KWS operations rather than introduce separate management structures.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will provide policy direction, while the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), through its Magical Kenya brand, will support international marketing efforts.
For Mumo, the ultimate objective is to translate the initiative’s plans into tangible improvements, including safer trails, better visitor facilities, stronger conservation measures and increased employment opportunities for communities surrounding the mountain.
He said reaching Everest’s summit would represent a major personal accomplishment, but the more significant achievement would be using the expedition to improve Mount Kenya for future generations.
