Kenyan first lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta has joined Rwandan first lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame on a 7km track on a race to raise awareness on peace.
The two first ladies are running a non-competitive lap in the 13th edition of Kigali International Peace Marathon.
Shortly @FirstLadyRwanda and @FirstLadyKenya will start #RunForPeace Competition #KigaliPeaceMarathon pic.twitter.com/dzrQLSZ3wu
— Kigali Peace Marathon #KigaliMarathon2023 (@KigaliMarathon) May 21, 2017
An estimated 6000 athletes, diplomats & peace enthusiasts from various countries are expected to take part in the peace marathon according to New Times.
Kigali Peace Marathon is a major effort in country’s journey towards peace, healing and reconciliation after the 1994 Rwanda genocidal mass slaughter of some of its populations where over 800,000 citizens lost their lives within 100 days of senseless ethnic cleansing as the rest of the world watched helplessly, according to the statement released by the Kenya State House.
The annual marathon is the only marathon in the world that promotes peace both in Rwanda and across borders.
The peace marathon takes place within the Country’s Kwibuka 23 (that marks 23 years since the 1994 genocide) period that spans between April 7 to July 3 ahead of the country’s Liberation Day on July 4.
The top winner of the 42 km Marathon will take home Rwandese Francs 2 million (approximately 240, 0 dollars) while the winner of the 21km race receives Rwandese Francs 1 million (1200 dollars).
This is the second time that both First Ladies will be running together after the Rwandan President wife joined her Kenyan counterpart for the Beyond Zero Half Marathon in Nairobi on March 6, last year top raise money for health services.
First Lady of Kenya, Mrs Margaret Kenyatta has arrived in Kigali ahead of tomorrow's 7km 'Run for Peace' during the annual @KigaliMarathon. pic.twitter.com/ZeswH4bq4E
— First Lady of Rwanda (@FirstLadyRwanda) May 20, 2017
I will join over 350 Kenyans participating in the Kigali International Peace Marathon in Rwanda.
— The First Lady, Kenya. (@FirstLadyKenya) May 21, 2017
