- Meru University of Science and Technology has held the second edition of its Mt Kenya Mountain Run at Marimba Campus.
- The event brought together athletes, students, government officials and other stakeholders to raise support for education, cancer research and environmental conservation.
- University Vice Chancellor Prof Romanus Odhiambo said the initiative is also helping build an endowment fund for needy learners who risk dropping out because of financial constraints.
Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) today successfully held the second edition of the Meru University Mt Kenya Mountain Run in a move to raise funds for needy learners, support cancer research and promote environmental conservation.
The Mountain Run was held at the university’s Marimba Campus in Meru County, where athletes competed in different categories, including elite, senior, corporate and masters races, with winners walking away with various prizes.
The university’s official event information shows that the 2026 run was scheduled for September 5 at Marimba Campus and was organised around education, cancer research and conservation.
Principal Secretaries Elijah Mwangi of Sports, Patrick Kilemi of Cooperatives and Gitonga Mugambi of Forestry, South Imenti MP Shadrack Mwiti, Head of Protocol in the Office of the Deputy President Gedion Kimathi and Meru University Vice Chancellor Prof Romanus Odhiambo were among dignitaries who graced the occasion at the foot of Mt Kenya.
Prof Odhiambo said an endowment fund was established last year to cater for needy learners who risk dropping out of school due to financial constraints.
“The community had many cases of needy learners who could drop out of school due to lack of fees. As an institution, we were concerned about the rising numbers of children from humble backgrounds. We felt challenged to find a way of assisting them. That is how we inevitably ended up launching the endowment fund to cater for the needy children,” said the VC.
The university has previously said the Mountain Run is intended to raise funds for its Students’ Endowment Fund to support needy and deserving students.
Prof Odhiambo said funds would also support cancer research, noting that the university wants to establish whether Meru County carries a particularly high cancer burden and use research evidence to guide future interventions.
“Meru County is among the top in cancer infections. We want to do research and confirm. If it is found to be true, the funds will be used to establish a Cancer Research Center to cater for the victims,” said the VC.
The university had also described cancer research as one of the three core causes behind the event during a fundraising gala held ahead of the run.
Run also supports conservation
Prof Odhiambo lauded the government’s tree-planting programme and pledged the university’s continued participation in environmental conservation.
Ahead of the Mountain Run, MUST planted more than 3,000 tree seedlings at Marimba Campus in an exercise involving the university community, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Forest Service and local residents.
The university said the tree-planting exercise reinforced the broader objectives of the Mountain Run by linking sport with education, cancer research and conservation.
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi challenged universities to invest more deliberately in sports and support students who want to pursue sporting talent alongside academics.
Mwangi said students should be given opportunities to train and develop their abilities while continuing with their studies.
He said the government was committed to empowering young people economically and urged them to embrace sport as a possible pathway to wealth creation and decent livelihoods.
“Those who break the record or win trophies are handsomely rewarded. Let us support learners who want to participate in sports because it earns a lot of money. If you choose sports as a career, you can still pursue other courses. President Ruto is committed to supporting sports owing to the many rewards and facilities he has started,” said the Sports PS.
He also cautioned athletes against doping, saying the government wants competitors to win fairly and cleanly.
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Official registration information for the Mountain Run listed 14km, 8km and 3km categories, including senior, masters, students, under-20, VIP and children’s races, with medals and prizes for top finishers.
By John Majau
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