The Government is committed in its efforts to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the Country, the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the State Department of Gender, Linah Jebii Kilimo, has said.
Kilimo who was speaking in Iten during the 10km and 5km Road Race in Iten dubbed #NitasimamaImara said athletics being a popular sport in the country, was one of the ways the government was using to end the vice.
The CAS said the race was also being used to sensitize athletes against GBV, especially following the killing of renowned athlete, Agnes Tirop , who is suspected to have been killed by her husband in Iten.
United Nations Populations Fund Representative to Kenya, Dr. Ademola Olajide, said that GBV should not have a place in the society, saying the road race was meant to sensitize the masses to end GBV in the region.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor, Alex Tolgos, noted that athletes have been victims of Gender Based Violence with a recent case in Iten.
He said that the race will be organized every year in order to reinforce the message on ending Gender Based Violence in the society.
The 10km road race was won by Lodwina Jepn’getich, in a time of 35:02:16 in the Women’s Category while, Wilfred Kimitei, came top at a close race to win the men’s title in the category, clocking a time of 30:07:19.
Lydia Njeri took the second position in the Women’s position with 35:23:15 with Gloria Jepkurui closing in on the third position after clocking 35:40:23.
Patrick Kipkurui clocked a time of 30:12:06 to take the second position with Peter Mwaniki coming behind with a time of 30:14:04 to take the third position.
By Walter Kibet and Alice Wanjiru
