Hundreds of Kenyans braced the chilly morning on Friday October 24, 2025 to participate in the First Edition of Mau Conservation Marathon 2025 in Kuresoi, Nakuru County.
The runners took to the road for the inaugural Mau Conservation Marathon.
This is a noble initiative dedicated to safeguarding the critical Mau Forest Complex.
All who participated had one thing in their mind, the noble responsibility to safeguard Mau Complex.
Held under the theme “Transforming Footsteps into Conservation Action,” the event featured men’s and women’s races across 21KM, 10KM, and 5KM categories.
The marathon is a key component of the larger Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC-ICLIP).
It should be noted that the Mau Complex is an essential water tower, feeding 12 major rivers including the Mara, Nyando, and Ewaso Ng’iro, sustaining farming, wildlife, and the livelihoods of millions of households across Kenya.
Nakuru County Deputy Governor David Kones joined the Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno and the runners during the event.
Speaking during the event, DG Kones highlighted Nakuru County’s conservation efforts, which include the successful planting of 750,000 tree and fruit seedlings since the tree growing initiative commenced.
He revealed that Governor Susan Kihika has also adopted twenty-hectare site at the Mau forest to support restoration, underpinning the county’s commitment to ecological preservation.
The Mau Conservation Marathon is a long-term commitment, scheduled to continue annually for the next nine years until the Mau Forest is fully restored to its former glory.
The event was also graced Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai, CECMs Nelson Maara(Environment), Elga Riaga (Youth, Sports, Gender, and Social Services) Leonard Bor (Agriculture) County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara, among other County and National Government officials and partners