Timothy Ekeno from Turkana is this year’s winner of the Desert Wheelchair Race held in Isiolo, after posting an impressive 30:08:00 in the 21 kilomtres competition.
With the win, Ekeno has retained the title he won last year and extended his winning record to four titles in the competition, making him the most decorated athlete in the history of Northern Nomadic Disabled Persons’ Organization (NONDO) Wheelchair competitions.
Other athletes from Turkana including Simon Lochor, Samwel Tinoru and David Koyen emerged 8th, 10th and 15th respectively.
Ekeno was awarded Sh100,000 and a winner’s Cup from the organizers of the competition amid celebrations from team officials led by Mark Amiyo, Director Social Protection.
Since NONDO’s inception in 2012, Turkana has participated five consecutive times in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. It won in 2021, 2022 and hopes are very high to be crowned the title at the last day of the competition.
Ekeno attributed his win to experience and rigorous practice. According to the athlete, Lodwar provided him with the best environment for practice and perfection of his speed skills in major competitions.
He added that he is now eyeing competitions in the class of Paralympics qualifications in order to grow and reach national and international levels.
The win was witnessed by Amos Ariong and James Ekanyuku (Assistant Directors of Social Protection), Concepta Longole (County Rehabilitation Officer), and Alex Marangach (Social Protection Officer-Turkana Central).
By Peter Gitonga
