Busia County will be represented by two physically challenged persons in this year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 42km Wheelchair race.
The high profile event returns after its cancellation in 2020 due to the Covid1-19 pandemic.
The two representatives are Paralympics Ronald Obiero Onyango and Andrew Kandira, who will be taking part in the race on October 31, 2021.
Speaking in Busia during the flagging off ceremony, the Busia County Executive in charge of Culture and Sports Janet Manyasi assured the two representatives of her department’s unwavering support.
“You are our real heroes who have been training daily in readiness for the grueling event despite many challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic. The event is not about competing but to maintain peace, cohesion and valuing diversity.
Disability is not inability. You should carry the county’s flag high by aiming for podium finish to lift the image of the county. I wish you the best of luck in your quest for excellence,”Manyasi said.
She said the department is serious on matters of sports revealing that the county has allocated funds in the 2021/2022 budget to give Busia Stadium a facelift. “As a department we believe a sport is health and wealth. It’s our number one clarion call,” she stated.
The department’s Chief Officer, Joe Maurice Odundo disclosed that the county was only allocated two slots in the tricycle race because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He encouraged runners who are set to miss the physical race to participate in the virtual race that started yesterday and runs up to October 30, 2021. Obiero and Kandira promised to do their best in the race and uplift the county.
Kandira said this is the third time he will be participating in the event noting that he finished at position three and five in the previous races. “I have been practicing and I am ready to represent the county. I am ready to improve on my previous performances,” he said.
Obiero on his part said their success in Nairobi will help spur sports in the county. “We are well prepared and our focus is to win Gold medals,” he said.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
