By Habil Onyango
Homa Bay County is set to host the 2nd edition of the Roan Antelope Half Marathon at Ruma National Park from August 10 to 11, 2024.
The event, organized in collaboration with the County Government and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), will also serve as a curtain-raiser for the Devolution Conference, scheduled for August 12-15.
This conference is expected to attract over 12,000 delegates from across the country and beyond.
Ruma National Park is the only park in Kenya that is home to the endangered roan antelope species, with a current population of just 24.
During a mock run at the park, Governor Gladys Wanga emphasized that the Half Marathon will help showcase Ruma National Park to a global audience.
“This event is a partnership between the County Government, KWS, and the Kenya Tourism Board.
We want to use it to market our only National Park in the western circuit and ensure it appears on the global map,” Wanga stated.
She added that the park’s existence aims to economically benefit the local communities, which have not yet fully utilized this potential.
According to Wanga, Ruma has the potential to attract a large number of tourists, and with effective marketing, it can significantly boost the economic status of the locals and the entire county.
“We have several endangered species in the park, including roan antelopes, black rhinos, and Rothschild giraffes.
Through this run, we want to showcase these unique animals to the world,” she said.
Wanga announced that the event will officially begin on August 10 in Homa Bay Town, where skaters and cyclists will participate in a curtain-raiser for the Devolution Conference.
This will be followed by tours of several islands in Lake Victoria, including Takawiri, using water buses and other boats.
Visitors will enjoy lunch before docking at Sindo Beach and proceeding to their final destination for game drives.
There will also be a hackathon for visitors from across the country, where they can discuss their visions for the future of devolution in Kenya.
Wanga challenged the local business community to take advantage of this event to enhance their incomes.
The Governor was joined by the Minority Leader in the National Assembly, Junet Mohamed, and Captain Kenneth Ochieng, who represented KWS Director General, Dr. Erustus Kanga.
Junet commented that if well-marketed, Ruma National Park has the potential to improve Homa Bay County’s economy in the same way that the Maasai Mara National Reserve has benefitted Narok County.
“One of the factors boosting Narok County’s economy is Maasai Mara.
If Ruma is marketed effectively, it could elevate Homa Bay to one of the richest counties in Kenya,” he said.
However, Junet noted that there is a need to construct luxurious hotels and expand existing airstrips to accommodate visitors.
On his side, Kanga added that the marathon serves as a rallying call for the survival of one of Kenya’s most iconic critically endangered species and reflects a collective commitment to conservation and sustainable development.
Kanga stated that the government, through KWS, is committed to restoring and enhancing the park, which is less visited than other tourist destinations.
“Plans are underway for infrastructural development and investment opportunities for luxury accommodations, which will improve the livelihoods of the local community and contribute to the economic growth of the country,” he said.
He highlighted that the Western circuit has been neglected for some time, but there is now a realization that collaboration is essential to achieve KWS’s vision of thriving wildlife and healthy habitats for all.
The park is currently home to diverse animal species, including 24 roan antelopes, over 800 Nubian giraffes, and viable populations of both black and white rhinos.
“The Roan Antelope Half Marathon is a shining example of what can be achieved when national and county government entities unite for a vital cause,” Kanga remarked.
He commended the Governor for her vision and dedication to this initiative, which is instrumental in the conservation of the roan antelope.
