Michael Kibet from West Pokot and Nancy Jelagat from Elgeyo Marakwet braved Saturday morning’s cold weather conditions to win the fifteenth edition of Tegla Loroupe Peace race in the 10 kilometer men and women race.
In the reformed Warriors 10kms men category Luke Shatukei from West Pokot County took the first position followed by Lokai Momaimom from Amudat Uganda and the third position went to Simba Ekuum from West Pokot.
While in the women 10kms reformed category, Rosyline Lomuria from west pokot scoop the first position, followed by Nachap Sunti from Uganda and the third position was taken by Dorcas Cherop from Sebei in Uganda.
Kibet and Jelagat , pocketed fifty thousand shillings each in the race that was held in Kapenguria.
The race started at 8.00 am at Makutano Catholic Church and ended up at Makutano stadium in West Pokot County, where residents turned up in large numbers with spectators lining along the Kitale –Lodwar highway.
The race was flagged off by Inspector General of police Joseph Boinett , Peace ambassador Tegla Loroupe and West Pokot Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo
The peace race brought together various reformed warriors from different warring communities in north rift and from the neighbouring country Uganda.
The peace race saw over 200 reformed warriors from the warring communities from Karamojong and Sabei in Uganda as well as the Turkana, Pokot, Marakwet from Kenya who frequently engage themselves in cattle rustling.
The elites, men and women as well as junior known as kids run of 2 kilometer participated in the different races that we held at Makutano stadium..
The race with a theme ‘building bridges and inspiring talents for peace and Development’ was used by different personalities to interact and ask the communities to spread the word of peace among the warring communities.
Boinett called on the communities in the region to embrace peace, pointing out that there was need for neighbouring communities in the region to do away with the out dated culture of cattle rustling and banditry activities.
Boinnet said the government will use alternative ways of solving disputes in the region and asked the leaders from the region to support government efforts.
“We want warriors to change and engage in other meaningful activities. The government is ready to assist them,” he said.
Concerning traffic rules Boinnett said they will ensure the rules are followed to restore sanity in the transport sector in the country.
“We are not joking or relent in the Michuki rules. Everybody has to follow the law,” he said.
The first race was held in 2003 by Tegla Loroupe and aimed at bringing together warriors of rival communities to reduce cases of cattle rustling in the region.
Other guests present were West Pokot senator Samuel Poghisio ,Kapenguria Mp Samuel Moroto, West Pokot women representative Lillian Tomitom and delegation from Uganda.
By John Saina
