Deputy President William Ruto has challenged Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga to race him in a marathon race scheduled for Sunday.
Via his social media, the DP stated that he was looking forward to participating in the Gakuru memorial marathon.
“Looking forward to participating at the 10KM Gakuru marathon tomorrow morning at 7 AM in Nyeri town. Gov kahiga ujipange tushindane mbio! (Governor Kahiga, get ready we compete)” he tweeted.
The event is a 10KM stretch marathon set to take place at Ruring’u stadium in Nyeri town at 7AM.
The marathon was put in place to honour the late Governor of Nyeri Wahome Gakuru.
Dr. Gakuru, who was the third Governor of the county, passed away on November 7 last year after he was involved in a road accident along Nakuru-Nairobi highway.
Nyeri county government intends to spend some of the proceeds from the marathon to build a ward at Nyeri County Referral Hospital which is to be named after the deceased.
T-shirts to participate at the event are going for Ksh1,000 for individuals and Ksh20,000 for corporate teams. Students aged between 14 and 19 years will, however, pay a running bib fee of KSh200.
Ruto is expected to flag off the marathon after which he will attend a church service at Kangaita PCEA in Tetu.
Besides, the event is expected to reawaken the Nyeri athletics spirit while reminding what the late Gakuru stood for; growth, transparency and accountability.
"We also look forward to the birth of new champions and a revival of the Nyeri Half Marathon once the pride of Nyeri,” remarked Governor Kahiga.
