The third edition of the Safaricom CEO run returns this Saturday, 13th June, at Karura Forest, bringing together over 400 participants for a day of fitness, purpose and impact.
Organized by Safaricom in partnership with Tusk, the it serves as a build-up to the Lewa Safari Marathon while raising funds for conservation and community development initiatives at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Speaking ahead of the event, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa highlighted the transformative power of sport in improving livelihoods and creating opportunities for communities.
Additionally, Ndegwa noted that initiatives such as the Karura Run help mobilise partners, corporates and young people around a shared goal of fundraising and strengthening conservation efforts.
“Through our long-standing support of the Lewa Safari Marathon, we have witnessed firsthand how sport can transform lives by unlocking access to education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods for communities around Lewa.
“This shared impact continues to inspire us to go even further through initiatives like the Karura Run, which brings together our partners, corporates, friends, and young people to participate, raise funds, and strengthen conservation efforts,” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO.
Read More:How to Participate in Safaricom’s Capture the Good Challenge
Focus Shifts to Lewa Safari Marathon
Meanwhile, attention is already turning to the 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon, scheduled for 27th June.
It is expected to attract more than 1,500 participants from across the country and beyond.
Participants will compete across various categories, including the 21km half marathon, 15km race, 10km race and a 5km walk, ensuring opportunities for runners and fitness enthusiasts of different abilities to take part.
In addition, this year’s activities will feature the Lions of Lewa, a dedicated team of Safaricom employees who champion fundraising for wildlife conservation and community development while actively participating in the marathon.
Since 2019, the group has consistently ranked among the top fundraisers, raising more than KES 1.2 million annually.
Beyond the race itself, the Lewa Safari Marathon continues to play a significant role in supporting conservation efforts and local communities.
Since its inception, the event has raised more than KES 850 million, directly funding conservation and community development initiatives across Kenya.
Of this amount, over KES 400 million has been channelled towards protecting endangered species, preserving wildlife habitats and safeguarding surrounding ecosystems.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is one of Kenya’s leading conservation areas, recognized for its role in protecting endangered wildlife while supporting surrounding communities.
Located in Laikipia County, the conservancy serves as a sanctuary for critically endangered black rhinos, Grevy’s zebras, elephants, lions, giraffes, African wild dogs and hundreds of bird species.
Beyond wildlife protection, Lewa invests in community development through programmes focused on education, healthcare, water access, youth empowerment as well as sustainable livelihoods.
These initiatives are designed to ensure that neighbouring communities benefit from conservation efforts and can coexist with wildlife.
The conservancy is also known for its robust anti-poaching operations, which combine advanced monitoring technology with community-led conservation approaches to protect vulnerable species and their habitats.
