Kenyan athlete runs for peace

Paul Tergat, Kenyan marathon champion, is to take part in a 15km race entitled "Running Side by Side for Peace" in Nairobi on Sunday 27th April.

Paul and other Kenyan athletes from mixed ethnic groups will be running together, signifying 'one nation' and 'one people', in pursuit of peace and healing following post-election violence in the country.

The race will begin at Jamhuri Park, former home to thousands of displaced people during the conflict, and will go through Kibera and Dagoretti, areas badly affected by the violence and ethnic tensions following the elections in December last year.

Following the violence, AMREF provided clean water and latrines for the displaced people living in Jamhuri Park and mobile health care for those afraid to leave their homes in Kibera slum. We are also organising football tournaments in Dagoretti for young people of mixed ethnic groups.

There will be three races, including a 15 km for professionals, 5km for participants under 17 and 2km for those under 13 years old. Sponsorship is provided by the Austrian Embassy, Celtel Kenya and Swiss International Flight.

Emily Mworia, AMREF's Communications Manager in Kenya, said: "The purpose of the race is to bring together the residents of Dagoretti and Kibera, who were worst hit by post-election violence. We want to try re-unite them before we move to other areas."

"We expect the race to be very competitive since some of the best athletes will participate," she continued.