Department of Sports in Nyandarua County has put in place a rule where teams selected to represent the County in competitions will comprise 70 percent locals and 30 percent non-locals.
Nyandarua County Youth and Sports Chief Officer Edward Kigo observed that the introduction of the rule will give locals exposure and a chance to showcase their talent.
“It is not tribalism or discrimination because this is what the Constitution says about hiring in counties. Constitution says 70 percent of people should be locals and 30 percent from outside,” said Kigo during the County Cross Country championships held at the Ol-kalou Arboretum.
The County Cross Country Championship was organised to select a team to represent Nyandarua in the Central Region Athletics Kenya (AK) cross country championships set for Kirinyaga County next week.
The Sports Officer said the County government wants locals to benefit more from its sponsorship of sporting events in the area.
Kigo further noted that County government will support the selected team with accommodation and meals during its regional assignment in Kirinyaga.
AK Nyandarua Chairman Francis Kamau, who graced the competition pointed out that to enforce the new rule, the selected athletes have to carry their birth certificates as proof that they were born in Nyandarua as well as ensure there is no age cheating.
The following are the teams that will represent Nyandarua County in the Central Region Athletics Kenya (AK) cross-country championships in Kirinyaga.
10km Senior Men – Shadrack Kimng’etich 30:51.90, Joseph Njoroge 31:06.13, Austin Kagunya 31:37.33, Egiron Lobek 31:42.21, Stephen Maina 32:14.14, Leonard Kirui 32:33.18, William Tomno 32:43.75.
10km Senior Women – Florence Wachira 30:27.66, Nancy Michael 39:17.82, Virginia Gathigia 40:02.17, Diana Chepkemoi 42:49.88, Elizabeth Njeri 53:24.64, Florence Njeri 58:41.61, 6km Junior Women – Monica Ekuam 20:10.33, Miriam Wangui 21:06.31, Esther Mwihaki 21:16.81, Peninah Mukonene 21:36.21, Eunice Munduhu 21:44.5, Monica Cherop 22:10.41.
8km Junior Men – Nicholas Kipchumba 25:31.07, Frankline Kilesi 25:59.22, Titus Waithaka 26:02.00, Johnson Kamau 26:20.35, Francis Wairua 26:36.40, Calvin Muthii 26:44.17.
By Kimani Tirus
