Nancy Chelagat on her way to victory during the Rediscover Nandi Road Race. [Courtesy]

Organisers of sports events have been urged to embrace environmental conservation, especially restoration and preservation of water towers.

Speaking in Nandi county during the Rediscover Nandi Road Race, the Kenya Water Towers Agency Acting Director General, Julius Tanui said aggressive efforts spearheaded by Environment and Forestry CS Keriako Tobiko aimed at increasing the country’s forest cover are finally bearing fruit.

“For the last two years our CS has led relentless efforts to preserve our water towers and plant millions of trees across the country. Supporting this race whose team is preservation of water towers is a clear example, “ said Tanui.

He cited the Mau water tower as an example of a project that has started to bear fruit through.

“The process to fence off the Mau water tower is earnestly continuing. Partnerships between state and non-state actors is paramount to spurring a tree planting culture within our local communities,” he said.

In his speech read by National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) secretary John Chumo, Tobiko exalted such events as the Re-Discover Nandi Road Race for their impact on awareness of the local community on the need to conserve water towers and wetlands.

“The event will go a long way in promoting the conservation of Mother Nature through campaigns to increase forest and tree cover in the country ,” Tobiko said.

During the race which attracted 500 runners, Emmanuel Bor won the men’s 10km race while Nancy Chelagat won the women’s race.

He thanked various stakeholders such as Mozzartbet, Communication Authority, Kenya Water Towers, Lake Victoria North Water Agency, Central Rift Water Works Agency’s, Equity Foundation, NECC, CPF, NEMA, KFS and Athletics Kenya.

Business
Premium Financial hardships dampen Easter celebrations among Kenyans
Business
Premium Water PS Korir put on the spot over Sh14m dam land
Business
Premium Looming crisis as top lenders stare at Sh500b in bad loans
Business
Premium Ruto's food security hopes facing storm amid fake fertiliser scam