Athlete Emmanuel Ng’eno and Mbesa Kalondu have emerged as winners of the third edition of the Safaricom CEO Run held on Saturday at Karura Forest, Nairobi, in an event that brought together more than 500 participants to support conservation and community development initiatives at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
The annual race, organised by Safaricom in partnership with Tusk, attracted Safaricom employees, customers, corporate teams, and running communities who participated in preparation for the upcoming Lewa Safari Marathon scheduled for June 27.
Ng’eno Dominates Men’s Half Marathon Category
Ng’eno secured victory in the men’s 21km half-marathon after clocking 1:24:47, beating Khamza Ahmed and Antony Mwasaru, who finished second and third respectively with times of 1:40:59 and 1:50:02.
Speaking after the race, Ng’eno said the win was special, noting that it was his first time participating in the Safaricom CEO Run.
“While the course was challenging, it was rewarding to be part of an event that brings people together in support of a meaningful cause. I commend Safaricom for championing conservation through sport, and I hope more corporates will embrace such initiatives that create a lasting impact,” he said.
Kalondu Claims Women’s Title in Close Finish
In the women’s 21km category, Mbesa Kalondu took the top position after crossing the finish line in 2:08:11.
She was followed closely by Shashu Damaris, who finished second in 2:08:15, while Zion Versity secured third place after recording a time of 2:09:35.
Winners Recognised Across Different Race Categories
The Safaricom CEO Run featured four categories aimed at promoting inclusivity among runners and fitness enthusiasts of different abilities.
In the 15km challenge, Adam Ahmed and Violet Okoti claimed top honours in the men’s and women’s categories after posting times of 1:08:29 and 1:34:36, respectively.
Joshua Mucha and Hudlyn Hagoi emerged winners in the 10km race, finishing with times of 40:27 and 1:02:51, respectively.
The 5km race was won by Joe Mwaniki in the men’s category, while Mikhala Barasa took the women’s title.
Safaricom Reaffirms Commitment to Conservation
Safaricom Group Chief People Officer Florence Nyokabi said the strong turnout demonstrated the growing commitment among corporates, staff, and partners towards conservation efforts.
“Today’s event was a great success, with more than 500 participants taking part. This is our third year hosting the race at Karura Forest, and I would like to thank all our staff, partners and friends who turned out in large numbers to support this noble cause,” Nyokabi said.
She added that the positive impact witnessed over the years continues to inspire Safaricom to strengthen its commitment to conservation and community development.
CEO Run Builds Momentum for Lewa Safari Marathon
The Safaricom CEO Run serves as a build-up event for the Lewa Safari Marathon, helping raise awareness and funds for conservation programmes and community projects at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
John Kinoti, Chief Programmes and Partnerships Officer at Lewa Conservancy, said the event plays an important role in highlighting the impact of conservation initiatives.
“We thank Safaricom and everyone who has supported this initiative over the years. With preparations nearly complete, we look forward to welcoming over 1,400 participants to Lewa on June 27,” he said.
The event also featured the Lions of Lewa, a team of Safaricom employees involved in fundraising for wildlife conservation and community development while participating in the Lewa Safari Marathon.
Safaricom Extends Long-Term Support to Lewa Marathon
Safaricom has supported the Lewa Safari Marathon since its inception, reinforcing its commitment to conservation efforts for more than two decades.
Earlier this year, the telecommunications company announced a KES 10 million contribution towards the 26th edition of the marathon.
The 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon will take place on Saturday, June 27, at Lewa Conservancy in Isiolo County, with about 1,500 participants expected to compete in the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km race, and 5km children’s race categories.