More than 400 participants are expected to take part in the third edition of the Safaricom CEO Run this Saturday at Karura Forest as the telecommunications company steps up efforts to support conservation and community development initiatives at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
The annual event, organised by Safaricom in partnership with Tusk, serves as a lead-up to the Lewa Safari Marathon and helps raise funds for conservation programmes and projects that benefit communities living around the conservancy.
Participants will compete in four categories, including a 21-kilometre half marathon, a 15-kilometre race, a 10-kilometre race, and a 5-kilometre walk, allowing runners and fitness enthusiasts of different abilities to take part.
Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the company’s long-standing partnership with the Lewa Safari Marathon has demonstrated how sport can help drive positive change in communities.
“Through our long-standing support of the Lewa Safari Marathon, we have witnessed firsthand how sport can transform lives by unlocking access to education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods for communities around Lewa,” said Ndegwa.
He added that the Karura run provides an opportunity for partners, corporates, friends and young people to come together, raise funds and support conservation efforts.
The event will also feature the Lions of Lewa, a team of Safaricom employees who participate in fundraising activities to support wildlife conservation and community development programmes linked to the Lewa Safari Marathon.
According to Safaricom, the organization has always featured prominently on the list of fundraisers from the event since 2019, raising in excess of KSh1.2 million each year.
Earlier this year, Safaricom announced a KSh10 million contribution towards the 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon, extending a partnership that has spanned more than 20 years.
The major Lewa Safari Marathon will take place on June 27 and it will be attended by at least 1,500 runners competing in different races.
Since its creation, the marathon has raised more than KSh850 million in aid of conservation and development activities in Kenya.
From the organizers, about KSh400 million of the fundraising proceeds have been used to conserve endangered wildlife and their habitats as well as other ecosystem features in the region.
As explained by Safaricom, the CEO Run will continue being part of the company’s initiative to promote conservation and community projects, while unifying both organizations and individuals on one platform.