Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Saturday, December 7, 2024, graced a cross-country run organized by President William Ruto’s aide and long-time ally Farouk Kibet in his hometown of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu county.

Kindiki, who headlined the Chepsaita Cross-Country Run, was accompanied by a host of other A-list athletes including marathon record-holder Eliud Kipchoge and Olympic gold-medalist Faith Kipyegon, among other notable runners.

“I want to thank Farouk for making this cross-country themed around education. As an educated athlete, you stand better chances at effectively making use of your talent to harness your full potential than would an illiterate one,” Kindiki noted.

Adding: ” A talent holder who is educated cannot be compared to a talent holder who is uneducated.”

The run which seeks to fundraise for local schoolchildren also featured several prominent politicians and dignitaries in the Kenya-Kwanza administration including Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii, area women rep Gladys Shollei and many other prominent political leaders.

Race proceeds

Farouk who is the patron of the annual race notes that the proceeds of the races will go towards educating the less privileged schoolchildren in the region.

“Our theme for this year is ‘Run and Educate’ because this event offers young athletes the chance to expose their talents while also allowing them to better their education through scholarships,” Farouk said in an address on December 6, 2024.

Adding: “I am happy to announce that because of this race more than 1,000 students from 10 different schools will receive Ksh10,000 worth of scholarships paid directly to their schools to support their education.”

Race categories

The races in the marathon included a 500-metre patrons’ race which most dignitaries participated in, a 500-metre race for boys and girls between ages 5-10 and a similar one for senior citizens of 70 years and above.

The other races in the picturesque cross-country were the 1-kilometre race for boys and girls aged between 8-10 years and that for senior adults aged between 56-69 years of age in both female and male categories.

A 2-kilometre race was organized for children aged between 11-13 years and also adults aged between 46 and 55. Similarly, children between the ages of 14 and 15 competed in the 4-kilometre race.

The senior races featured a 6-kilometre under-20 women’s cross-country race, an 8-kilometre under-20 men’s race and a 10-kilometre race for elite runners in both women and men categories.