Manela Triumphs at Saba Time Race in Laikipia CountyMalindi Residents Distressed by Rise of Juvenile Gangs

Nyahururu, Laikipia County, the fifth edition of the Annual Saba Time Race saw Michael Manela clinching a significant win in the 10km men’s race. Manela completed the race in 29 minutes and 18 seconds, marking his first major victory since moving to the senior level two years ago. In the women’s 5km race, Mary Nyaruai emerged victorious with a time of 15 minutes and 48 seconds, a considerable advancement from her previous sixth place.

According to Kenya News Agency, Manela successfully navigated the challenging muddy sections and rough terrain of the Murram route, outperforming several seasoned athletes, including Japan-based runners who participated in the event as part of their acclimatization following their return from holiday. Despite his victory, Manela acknowledged the difficulty posed by the route’s protruding pebbles, which he cited as a factor in his inability to break the course record of 28 minutes and 36 seconds.

Manela expressed his surprise at winning against a field that included many prominent marathon stars, especially those from Japan. Francis Abong, who finished just three seconds behind Manela, noted the need to improve his finishing kick, which he felt cost him the race. The event saw close finishes, with Wilson Lemangale and Joash Ruto securing third and fourth positions with times of 29 minutes and 22 seconds and 29 minutes and 27 seconds, respectively.

In the women’s category, Nyaruai pulled ahead of Yvonne Chepchirchir in the last 50 meters, with Chepchirchir finishing just two seconds behind. Their impressive performances placed them alongside last year’s winner, Judy Chepng’etich, as the few women who have completed the 5km distance in under 16 minutes. Joyce Njeru and Lucy Nduta rounded out the top finishers in the women’s race.

The event also highlighted the financial support provided by Korean businessman Jang Young Ki, who rewarded the top 30 finishers in the men’s category and the top 20 in the women’s category with a monetary token. The race route, located in the Siron villages of Marmanet location in Laikipia County, holds a significant place in athletics history, as it was used by John Ngugi for his training en route to winning the World Cross Country title five times between 1986 and 1989.

MALINDI – The communities of Shella and Ganda in Malindi Sub County, Kilifi County, are facing a surge in fear and insecurity due to the emergence of juvenile criminal gangs. These gangs, comprised of youths aged between 11 and 16 years, are causing alarm in the area and have prompted a heightened response from local security agencies.

According to Kenya News Agency, Ms. Irene Munyoki, these juvenile gangs, including names like wakali kwanza, team pasua, team ngozi, among others, are responsible for a series of robberies in the Shella and Ganda wards. Using weapons such as knives, machetes, and clubs, their tactics mirror those of notorious gangs in Mombasa, like wakali kwanza and wakali wao. This worrying trend has led to a security meeting in Mkanju wa Nyege area of Muyeye village, where residents shared their distressing experiences with these young criminals.

Ms. Munyoki highlighted poor parenting as a key factor in the rise of these gangs and called on parents to take their responsibilities more seriously. She announced that police patrols would be intensified in the affected areas to address this menace that threatens the recovering tourism sector in Malindi. Ms. Munyoki’s stern message to parents emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, warning that the police are prepared to take robust action against the gangs.

Furthermore, Ms. Munyoki addressed the issue of palm wine (mnazi) sales in residential areas, instructing that mnazi drinking dens, known locally as mangwe, be relocated to avoid negative impacts on children. This move is part of a broader strategy to safeguard the youth from harmful influences.

Nicodemus Mwayeye, Shella Sub-location Senior Assistant Chief, and Baya Maitha, his counterpart in Kijiwetanga, acknowledged the presence of these criminal groups in their jurisdictions. They have laid down strategies to eradicate these gangs, including urging the youth to form self-help groups to access various national and county government funds for starting businesses, rather than engaging in criminal activities.

Malindi Sub-county Commander Wilmont Mwakio confirmed the existence of the gangs but reassured the public that police efforts have neutralized their activities, rendering them harmless.