Inside Egerton's initiative to conserve the enviroment through athletics

Feet stomping echoed through the air as athletes of all ages, eagerly awaiting the whistle to blow, coursed into the 10th Edition of the Mau-Egerton University Cross-Country.

Excited and hopeful, spectators watched attentively, wondering who would set the pace in this race of endurance and energy.

With athletes driven by adrenaline, the competition started in groups of 15, holding a steady pace, perhaps giving each other a mental boost while others tried to catch up.

As the rounds went by, the initial companionship faded, and the true race unfolded. One by one, the groups started scattering as athletes, breathing heavily, focused solely on their goal of claiming the top prize.

Tension built as spectators snapped out of their moments of zoning out, enthusiastically cheering on their favourite ‘candidates.’

At the finish line, athletes collected their manila tags in order of their placement, while some, having given it their all, were assisted by Red Cross and St. John Ambulance teams to the medical tent after feeling unwell from the intense effort.

This edition of the cross-country race marks a special moment in Egerton University’s decade-long commitment to environmental conservation.

The athletes are running to conserve the Kenyatta and Keringet dams in Kuresoi North.

These dams, once restocked by the county to promote a fish-eating culture among residents, now face serious threats from the extreme effects of climate change.

These dams, which lie within the Great Mau Forest Complex and are vital to the region’s water tower, are at risk due to illegal logging, encroachment, and pollution.

Through the ‘Run for Mau’ initiative, Egerton University aims to rehabilitate these vital water catchment areas and raise awareness for their restoration, ensuring they remain crucial to the environmental sustainability of the region.

Last year’s run successfully pooled resources for the restoration of the Njoro River, which was subsequently handed back to the community and government for ongoing care.

Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ababu Namwamba lauded this sports for climate action initiative, highlighting its significant role in raising awareness and mobilizing action to protect critical ecosystems like the Mau Forest Complex.

He emphasized the importance of immediate action to combat illegal logging, encroachment, and pollution and called for increased efforts in tree planting, land restoration, and community empowerment.

“The time to save the Mau is now, not tomorrow. We must act immediately to restore our ecosystems, empower local communities, and ensure the preservation of vital water towers for future generations,” he says.