Mount Kenya University (MKU) is among the major sponsors for this year’s edition of the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run, scheduled to take place on Saturday, 17 January 2026.
The 21-kilometre race, which is becoming a key feature in the local mountain and trail running series, will be part of the Taptengelei Cultural Festival that will take place between January 15 and 17.
The series of events, which is themed running for education and conservation, is expected to attract more than 3,000 athletes, adventure enthusiasts and cultural tourists.
MKU presented its sponsorship for the event of Sh1 million on Monday, when the event organisers announced details for the mountain run, which is also expected to play part in the selection of the team that will represent Kenya in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
Prof Peter Wanderi, Principal Corporate Services at MKU said the university’s participation is part of its continued commitment to supporting sports and creative arts among the youth.
He explained that the objectives of the mountain run are in line with some of the university’s objectives that include embracing the arts, creative economy and sports that are seen as key in the development blueprints for Kenya and the region.
“It is very important for all Kenyans to support sports, culture, creative economy and sustainability. We are in the era of CBE, (Competency Based Education) that embraces sports and creative art pathways. These are critical pathways for us as a country, if we are to unlock all sectors of the economy,” he said when he presented the cheque to the CS Gender, Culture, and Children Services Hanna Wendot Cheptumo who was the chief guest during the Monday event.
“MKU embraces the Kenya Vision 2030 to the core. We also embrace the East African Vision 2050 and that is why we also have Mount Kigali University in Rwanda because we are a regional university. We also embrace the African Union Agenda 2063 and above it all we also embrace the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
MKU is the appointed chair of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG 9 Hub for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure in a role that runs to December 2029.
This, Prof Wanderi said, made MKU an ideal partner for activities that engender equality within the communities such as the mountain run and the cultural activities.
He also challenged the local tourism authorities to popularise the course used to run the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run, noting that it should not just be used for the run but also other activities.
“This is one of the best courses in the country. Maybe we need to popularise it so that even when we are not going there for the run, we can all go there from time to time… to better know our country, go for walks or picnics so that it is an all-round-the-year engagement,” he said.
It is the second consecutive year MKU will be participating in the mountain run. In the previous edition, the University sponsored both staff and students to take part in the race in support of the noble cause.
Julius K. Melly, Member of Parliament for Tinderet Constituency, said the race will showcase the area and the culture of the people, including exposing the visitors to the running ways of the people in the area.
“Other than the mountain run, the event will also showcase what we can offer in terms of culture. Visitors will be able to sample a variety of traditional food, which forms part of the diet of our athletes as well as the terrain and the high altitude. The course that runners will use has a lot of indigenous trees that have been well maintained but also growing alongside tea and coffee,” he said.
The winners for the Mountain run would get a cash prize of Sh500,000, but also other goods, including a cow worth upwardsof Sh300,000.
by STAR REPORTER
