Kenneth Karaya is the 2021 Sokoke MTB Challenge champion.
Karaya beat Kenyan cycling ace, and last edition’s winner, David Kinjah, in a race held at the Kenyan coastal tourism resort town of Watamu on Monday, May 31.
Karaya who is part of the Simba Trust Riders from Kiambu County improved on his last appearance in 2019 where he finished fifth.
Riders battled the sweltering conditions and sand in this year’s race that began at Turtle Bay Resort before riding through Sokoke forest tackling the 70km course.
Karaya clocked 2:33:29 to triumph with Ugandan Jordan Schleck a close second in 2:33:30 followed by Geoffrey Lang’at (2:37:33). Kinja was a distant fourth (2:39:58).
Nancy Debe from Homabay was the winner in the women’s category clocking 3:07:25 followed by Dina Safari (4:05:17). Jennifer Kanini was third (4:06:01).
The event was organised by A Rocha Kenya and supported by by Turtle Bay and Ocean Sports resorts to aid in the conservation of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.
The event also raises funds for A Rocha Kenya ASSETS programme that ensures 100 high school students living around the forest don’t miss out on education and become champions of environmental protection.
Arabuko-Sokoke forest is the largest remaining dry coastal forest in Eastern and Southern Africa and it’s conservation is vital.