This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On August 24, Baringo County will host the second edition of the Kirdam Road Race, with organizers aiming to raise Sh10 million to conserve Kirandich dam and supply residents with clean water.
The event will feature various races, including a 10km main race, a 6km race for the youth, a 5km corporate race, a 2km race for the elderly, and a 3km wheelchair race.
According to Isaiah Cherutich, the Local Organizing Committee chair, over 200 athletes have already registered for the event, with the goal of raising Sh10 million to provide clean water to residents of Baringo Central constituency.
Cherutich stated, "We have so far registered more than 200 athletes and we still expect more in the coming days. Our target this year is to raise sh10 million which will go a long way in realising our main objective of providing clean water to our people,"
At the official launch of the race, Cherutich disclosed that the inaugural edition of the race held last year raised Sh3 million, which was used to purchase water tanks and pipes to supply water to residents within the vicinity of Kirandich dam.
The organizers received a boost of Sh1.5m from the Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, and Royal media services is among the main sponsors of the event, along with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC).
Baringo Central Member of Parliament Joshua Kandie, the patron of the race, has committed to making the race an annual event to help supply water to his constituents, who experience adverse climatic conditions.
Kandie stated, "Water distribution to my residents is the main objective of this race but I also want to nurture sports in the county considering Baringo has dropped slightly in athletics compared to other regions,"
The winners in the 10km race will pocket Sh150,000, with the top ten athletes being rewarded. Boston Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono and four-time New York City marathon winner Mary Keitany, who hails from the county, are this year's race ambassadors.
