Kenya Steps Up Conservation Drive as Mau Marathon Enters Second Edition
NAKURU, Kenya, May 8 – The drive to restore one of Kenya’s most vital water towers gained fresh momentum on Monday 4 2026 as Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, officially inaugurated the second edition of the Mau Conservation Marathon.
During the launch, the PS went live with the event’s digital registration portal, signaling a high-tech approach to mobilizing conservation efforts through athletics describing the marathon as more than just a sporting activity, terming it “a powerful platform for environmental education, conservation awareness and community empowerment”.
Dr. Ng’eno emphasized that the initiative continues to play a critical role in advancing restoration efforts within the Mau Forest Complex, one of Kenya’s key water towers.
The PS expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders for their support in the inaugural edition, which attracted over 1,000 participants and successfully blended sport with conservation and youth empowerment.
He noted that the marathon has already demonstrated its impact by providing income opportunities to young athletes, with over KSh 3.3 million awarded in prizes during the first edition, further boosted by additional support from the national government.
Further, He highlighted progress under the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC-ICLIP), noting that over 1,500 hectares of degraded forest have already been restored and more than 3,000 farmers supported through various livelihood initiatives.
He announced that the second edition of the marathon will be bigger and more ambitious, introducing a full 42-kilometre race in addition to the 21km and 10km categories.
The prize pool has also been significantly increased to KSh 7.8 million, with top winners in the full marathon set to receive KSh 600,000.
“The Mau Conservation Marathon remains central to our efforts. It is a movement that brings together government, communities, private sector, and development partners in a shared commitment to environmental stewardship,” he said.
The PS called on communities living around the Mau Forest Complex to actively participate in the marathon, urging partners to continue supporting the initiative to bridge funding gaps and scale up conservation efforts.
As preparations begin for the July 2026 event, Dr. Ng’eno reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring the Mau Forest Complex, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and safeguarding the country’s natural heritage for future generations.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, in a speech read by Deputy Governor David Kones, said the Mau Conservation Marathon shows that conservation and community development can go hand in hand.
She emphasized the Mau Forest Complex’s critical role as a key water tower supporting livelihoods, biodiversity and climate resilience, noting that its protection is a shared responsibility.
She lauded the progress under the MFC-ICLIP Programme, highlighting forest restoration, tree planting and community initiatives improving livelihoods, adding that the county government is complementing these efforts through its greening programme and support for farm forestry and tree nurseries.
