- Teachers from Bungoma and Kakamega dominated the men’s and women’s 10km races at the Western Region Teachers’ Day Run.
- Protus Soet Tuyobei claimed the men’s title while Kakamega’s Emily Mutondo emerged victorious in the women’s race.
- TSC Commissioner Nicodemus Anyang also highlighted teacher promotions and urged educators to embrace healthy lifestyles.
Bungoma and Kakamega counties dominated the Western Region Teachers’ Day Run, with athletes from the two counties claiming top honours in the men’s and women’s 10km races held at Kakamega School on Sunday.
Protus Soet Tuyobei, representing FYM Junior School in Bungoma County, won the men’s 10km race after clocking 36 minutes and 21.23 seconds.
Bungoma secured a 1-2 finish, with Paul Tanui taking second place in 37:28.12. Busia County ended Bungoma’s dominance after Kelvin Adenya of Akobwait Junior Secondary School finished third in 40:58.53.
Speaking to journalists after the race, Tuyobei expressed his delight at the victory, saying he had not faced strong opposition during the competition.
“I have featured in several national meetings where I have finished among the top 10 or 20,” he said.
In the men’s 10km disability category, Busia County claimed the top two positions through Maxwell Opiyo and Bernard Oduki, while Bungoma’s Majani finished third.
Kakamega dominates women’s race
In the women’s 10km race, Kakamega’s Emily Mutondo emerged victorious in 41:26.74. Her county-mate Magdalene Pembere finished second in 41:46.18, while Vihiga’s Damaris Mulaa was third in 41:50.30.
Busia’s Christian Ouma won the women’s disability category, followed by Sarah Mukhola and Alice Wanyonyi in second and third positions, respectively.
The top three finishers in each category were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Commissioner Dr Nicodemus Anyang said the Commission had printed 1,882 certificates for the event, which attracted more than 1,300 teachers.
However, Dr Anyang said budgetary constraints had limited the number of T-shirts produced and distributed across the regions.
“We shall lobby for sponsors in future to eliminate such teething challenges,” he said.
TSC targets 34,000 teacher promotions
The Commissioner also highlighted progress made by the Commission in promoting teachers, saying limited funding had previously constrained the exercise.
“There has been a paradigm shift in the past four years in terms of promotions. During this period, we managed to promote 100,000 teachers in four years,” he said.
Dr Anyang said the TSC planned to promote a further 34,000 teachers during the current financial year after the allocation for promotions was increased from Sh1 billion to Sh2 billion.
TSC has advertised 34,016 promotion vacancies in the current exercise, with Sh2 billion allocated for the promotions.
He said priority would be given to teachers in cadres C1 and C2 serving in both primary and secondary schools.
“This is aimed at raising the motivation of teachers in these cadres who are, in most cases, forgotten,” he said.
The TSC said the Teachers’ Day celebrations were aimed at recognising teachers’ achievements and highlighting the contribution of the teaching profession to Kenya’s development. The Western Region run at Kakamega School formed part of simultaneous regional activities organised ahead of World Teachers’ Day.
Dr Anyang described the run as a symbol of endurance, discipline, resilience and perseverance, urging teachers to embrace healthy lifestyles beyond the event.
“Let this Run Day inspire us to make healthier choices, remain physically active, look after our mental and emotional well-being, and encourage those around us to do the same,” he said.
He urged teachers to carry the spirit of the event into their daily lives and make wellness a sustainable habit.
“Let the run be the spark that ignites a daily commitment to choosing healthy lifestyles,” he said.
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The event brought together teachers, communities, education stakeholders and partners, with the TSC saying the run demonstrated its commitment to physical fitness, mental well-being, teamwork and a healthy work-life balance.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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