Warriors lock horns in Loroupe peace run

By PETER ATSIAYA

All roads lead to West Pokot County for the annual Tegla Loroupe Peace Race today in Kapenguria. The event, a brainchild of marathon legend Tegla Loroupe, will be held in Kainuk.

KenGen Company has been a key sponsor of the event that also involves cultural activities such as beauty contests and a parade of warriors who have ditched their guns to take on a noble course that is running for peace.

"Preparation for the race are complete. The event has received an overwhelming support and I am touched," said Loroupe. The event was started by Loroupe to be used as a forum to foster peace among the local communities and end cattle rustling that have seen innocent people lose lives and retarded development in the region.

The communities targeted are Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Markwet and Karamajong. The championship was postponed last year because of insecurity occasioned by cattle rustling activities. Loroupe noted that athletes from outside the country have confirmed participation in the two-day championship.

"The event would have new faces from outside the country and this makes the competition more credible and helps us achieve our goals of fostering peace," said Loroupe.

She assured participants and fans that all would be well as police have beefed up security.

"This is a peace meeting and there should be no cause for alarm or worry because security apparatus would be there to protect participants and the spectators," she added.

Loroupe pointed out that the sporting event has contributed a lot in ensuring that local people shun the cattle rustling menace and focused on getting other legal income generation programmes. She thanked sponsors for supporting the course.