This archive report was first published on 30 June 2019.
On Saturday, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta took part in the 20th edition of the Safaricom Marathon in the Lewa Conservancy, joining over 1,400 runners from 30 countries.
The event, which has grown into an international attraction for conservation enthusiasts, featured a 42-kilometre full marathon, a 21-kilometre half marathon, and a 5-kilometre race.
Since its inception 20 years ago, the annual event has raised over Shs 750 million in support of biodiversity conservation and community development programmes in the Lewa Conservancy catchment area, spanning Meru, Isiolo, and Laikipia counties.
The funds raised through the marathon are channelled into education, healthcare, water, micro enterprises, women, and youth empowerment projects that promote wildlife conservation.
Speaking at the event, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta commended the runners for their contribution to the country's conservation agenda, saying, 'This event reminds us that conservation and community development are interconnected. As Kenyans, we have the responsibility to help uplift the communities that need our support.'
She noted that conservation interventions and partnerships initiated by the Lewa Conservancy have successfully contributed to the protection of endangered species such as the African elephant, rhino, and the Grevy's Zebra by working with local communities to promote human-wildlife co-existence.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta also toured the Lewa Education Centre's adult and digital literacy initiatives as well as a beadwork project by pastoralist women, praising the Northern Rangeland Trust for supporting the project and linking it to markets to expand trading opportunities.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Sports, Culture, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, Safaricom Chairman Nicholas Ng'ang'a, Tusk Trust CEO Charlie Mayhew, and Lewa Conservancy CEO Mike Watson.
