Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba during a past event in Nairobi/COURTESY
A major peace and environmental conservation race bringing together athletes, community groups, conservationists and leaders will be held in the Cherangany Hills as Kenya marks the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.
The 10KM Cherangany Hills Peace and Conservation Race will take place tomorrow (Thursday) at Tebe Grounds in Kapyego Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County, under the theme of promoting environmental protection, peace and community cohesion through sports.
The event is being organised by the Cherish Foundation, Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony, in partnership with the OKM Foundation.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who is also patron of the two foundations, is expected to host the event, which organisers say is aimed at drawing national attention to the importance of conserving the Cherangany ecosystem.
The race will also pave the way for the official launch of the CHERISH programme on Friday, which will be presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The long-term restoration programme seeks to rehabilitate degraded sections of the Cherangany Hills ecosystem, protect water sources and create sustainable livelihoods for communities living around the water tower.
Organisers say the initiative aligns with national climate action efforts and President William Ruto’s 15 billion tree growing agenda aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening climate resilience.
The race comes amid growing concerns over environmental degradation, deforestation and threats to Kenya’s critical water towers, including the Cherangany Hills, which support millions of livelihoods through water catchment and biodiversity conservation.
Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP, Ida Odinga, will attend as chief guest, while world record holder Faith Kipyegon has been named race ambassador.
Organisers said the event seeks to use sports as a platform for peacebuilding and environmental awareness while encouraging communities to participate in conservation efforts.
“The race seeks to promote peace, environmental conservation and community cohesion through sports, while also creating awareness on the protection of the Cherangany ecosystem,” organisers said in a statement.
The CHERISH programme targets restoration of thousands of hectares of degraded escarpments and riparian land within the ecosystem, while also promoting green jobs through activities such as beekeeping, agroforestry and eco-tourism.
The event will feature several categories including a 10-kilometre elite race, a five-kilometre community race, a two-kilometre community race and a two-kilometre corporate challenge.
Winners in the elite category will receive cash prizes, while all participants are expected to receive awards and recognition.
The race is also expected to attract athletes and participants from neighbouring counties as well as conservation stakeholders working on ecosystem restoration and climate resilience initiatives.
Cherangany Hills is one of Kenya’s key water towers and forms part of the country’s critical forest ecosystems alongside the Mau Forest Complex, Mount Kenya, Aberdares and Mount Elgon ecosystems.
The ecosystem spans parts of Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties and has faced increasing pressure from deforestation, unsustainable farming practices and encroachment.
The event coincides with growing national campaigns encouraging tree planting, ecosystem restoration and climate action as Kenya intensifies efforts to combat environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
