Kipchoge donates food, solar panels to Nandi families

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge, through his foundation, yesterday donated solar panels and food to families in Nandi County.

Kipchoge, who has been donating food to vulnerable athletes in several counties in Rift Valley, gave foodstuffs and 30 solar panels to 70 families in his Kapsisiywa village.

The solar panels were provided by Azuri Technologies in partnership with the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation.

Kipchoge said the vulnerable families were identified by local chiefs.

He said the donations were motivated by the need to support families during the Covid-19 pandemic period.

“We want human beings to rise and be equal. Through food empowerment, the residents will go far,” he said.

The Olympic champion and three-time Berlin marathon winner said his foundation has donated food to at least 600 athletes in Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties in recent weeks.

He said the foundation is seeking support to extend the food donation to athletes in counties beyond Rift Valley region.

Alongside food donation, Kipchoge said he was engaged in a coronavirus prevention campaign.

“I am doing a lot of campaigns on social media as we seek to sensitise athletes and locals on ways to keep themselves safe from Covid-19. We need to get the things right,” Kipchoge said.

He said the pandemic has not only disrupted athletics calendars and preparations, but also economic activities across the globe.

The four-time London marathon champion urged well-wishers to support vulnerable families during the period.

“This pandemic has affected everybody and we need to identify the most vulnerable and ensure that they are fed well,” Kipchoge said.

Richard Korir of Azuri Technologies said the solar panels will help the vulnerable locals to follow sports news and other news through TV sets.

“Kipchoge comes from here and whenever he is running, residents are forced to crowd in the nearby Kapsisiywa trading centre to watch the race because they have no electricity in their houses. We are donating the solar panels so that next time they watch races in their homes,” he said.