EABL Foundation has sponsored the Friends of Karura (FKF) 2022 race to the tune of Ksh. 1M. In its fourth year, the race will be taking place on 25th September 2022 at the Karura Forest.
This initiative is It is part of the company’s environmental stewardship initiatives, which is a key aspect of its broad sustainability agenda. Proceeds from the race will go towards maintaining and securing the Forest, which is Nairobi’s biggest indigenous forest and the most visited running destination.
Speaking during a press conference to announce this sponsorship, EABL Group Corporate Relations Director, Eric Kiniti, noted that all stakeholders must unite and cooperate toward positive change through the conservation of green spaces.
“We recognize the immense value of the environment, especially the urban green spaces. These spaces have multiple benefits such as the social benefits of boosting mental and physical health and environmental benefits such as reducing air pollution, enhancing bio-diversity, and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, extreme rainfall, and flooding among others.”
KBL is a long-term partner of the Friends of Karura and the Kenya Forest Service and has supported the conservation of the Karura Forest for over a decade now. This includes the fencing of the Karura Forest at a cost of Ksh 8.5M the, which has promoted security around the forest, leading to an increase in visitors and improved the income earned by the forest from entry charges.
“We are committed to supporting the conservation of such spaces as part of our sustainability agenda and in the last decade, have planted and nurtured over 1.3 million trees with an impressive 85% success rate. This is an important aspect of our ambitious 10 years action plan, Society 2030; Spirit of Progress. We want to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world through three key pillars; Promoting Positive drinking, Championing Inclusion and Diversity, and Accelerating Grain to Glass Sustainability,” He added.
Deforestation and degradation of forests for various purposes have contributed to the exacerbation of climate change and global warming. The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years. With at least 18 million people facing extreme hunger. In Northern Kenya, about 4 million people have been affected.
The FKF 2022 race will entail a family-friendly format with 2km, 5km, 10km 21km, and 42km race options. The participants will enjoy a cold Tusker lite as they participate in a Berlin Marathon watch party on a large screen at the race’s finish line. 100 KBL staff will be participating in the race this year.