Half marathon to honour late Nyeri governor

Nyeri County staff attend a service in honour of the late Governor Wahome Gakuru at Dedan Kimathi University on November 14, 2017. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • "While it is intended to reawaken the Nyeri athletics spirit, it is also a reminder of what Dr Wahome Gakuru stood for growth, accountability and transparency," said Kahiga.
  • He added, "We also look forward to the birth of new champions and a revival of the Nyeri Half Marathon once the pride of Nyeri.”

Preparations are in high gear for the inaugural Dr Wahome Gakuru Memorial Half Marathon slated for November 11 in Nyeri town.

The third Nyeri governor Wahome Gakuru died on November 7 last year in a road accident along the Nyeri-Nairobi highway.

The idea to stage a road run in his honour was muted during the late governor's burial by current Governor Mutahi Kahiga, then the deputy governor.

It was the wish of the county boss to stage the memorial race after the completion of Ruring'u stadium but it has stalled for the last five months due to lack of funds.

The facility is being upgraded by the government to international standards at a cost of Sh450million.

"While it is intended to reawaken the Nyeri athletics spirit, it is also a reminder of what Dr Wahome Gakuru stood for growth, accountability and transparency," said Kahiga.

He added, "We also look forward to the birth of new champions and a revival of the Nyeri Half Marathon once the pride of Nyeri.”