Safaricom Announces KES. 1.6 Million Sponsorship For Ol’Bolossat Half Marathon And Ghetto Run- Nairobi Edition

_{From Left, Samuel Gitaka – Chief officer tourism, trade & Sports – County Government of Nyandarua, Hon. Kiarie Badilish-Governor Nyandarua County, James Mbaabu- Safaricom’s Regional business lead Rift and Hussein Rage – Safaricom’s Territory business lead Naivasha during the cheque handover of KES. 1 million for the Lake Ol’Bolossat Half Marathon sponsorship the Nyadurua County Governor’s office. PHOTO/SAFARICOM}

The two events are set for Sunday 26^thNovember in Nyandarua and Nairobi respectively

NAIROBI, Kenya – Safaricom PLC has today announced a KES 1.6 million sponsorship for the Ol’Bolossat Half Marathon and the Ghetto Run – Nairobi edition scheduled for Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Nyandarua and Nairobi counties, respectively.

As part of the sponsorship, the Ol’Bolossat Half Marathon, geared towards raising funds for the restoration and conservation of the only lake in the Mt. Kenya region, has received cash and in-kind support amounting to KES. 1 million. This includes a direct contribution of KES 500,000 to support the event, along with the provision of running T-shirts valued at KES 500,000.

_{Hon. Kiarie Badilish-Governor Nyandarua County (Left) receives a dummy cheque of KES. 1 million from James Mbaabu- Safaricom’s Regional business lead Rift (Centre) and Hussein Rage – Safaricom’s Territory business lead Naivasha (Right) during the sponsorship announcement of the Lake Ol’Bolossat Half Marathon. The event took place at the Nyadurua County Governor’s office. PHOTO/SAFARICOM}

Over 1,000 participants from across the country are expected to take part in the 21 km elite men and women, 10km elite men and women, 5km veteran race, 2km fun race, corporates, government agencies, and PLWDs 5km race.

“We are glad to be supporting these two athletic events happening in Nyandarua and Nairobi geared towards environmental conservation, promoting sports tourism, and fostering peaceful co-existence within the society. As Safaricom, we are big supporters of athletics and sports in general, which we are using to support and transform the lives of many young Kenyans,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO Safaricom.

The Ol’Bolossat half marathon is a unique one as it is the only race in the world starting at 0 degrees latitude i.e., at the Equator, and ending at the shores of Lake Ol’Bolossat. It will be graced by Deputy President, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua.

_{From left Daniel Gakiri- Safaricom’s Customer experience executive Naivasha, Samuel Gitaka – Chief officer tourism, trade & Sports – County Government of Nyandarua, Hon. Kiarie Badilish-Governor Nyandarua County, Hussein Rage Safaricom’s Territory business lead Naivasha and James Mbaabu- Safaricom’s Regional business lead Rift–during the cheque handover of KES. 1 million for the Lake Ol’Bolossat Half Marathon sponsorship at the Nyadurua County Governor’s office. PHOTO/SAFARICOM}

Elsewhere, the Nairobi Edition Ghetto Run, which is also scheduled for Sunday at Gatina Primary School, received KES. 600,000. In partnership with the Community Relations Foundation, Ghetto Run is an extraordinary race that aims to bring together professional athletes alongside amateurs, the community, and the police forces.

Supported by Kenya Police Service and Athletics Kenya Dagoretti, the run aims to inspire the indomitable spirit of athletes to achieve the unimaginable while promoting their mental and physical fitness which are fundamental to their overall health and well-being on a global scale.

The race categories will include 15km (Elite), 5km (Community), 3km (Children) and 1km (PLWDs).

Beyond the athletic aspect, the Ghetto Run serves as a platform to promote peaceful coexistence among different community stakeholders and the police, advocating for safer neighborhoods and a crime-free society. Additionally, it addresses the negative impacts of drug and substance abuse prevalent among the youth and women in the informal settlements of Kenya.