Preparations for the highly anticipated 3rd edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run, scheduled for 6 December 2025, have gained momentum following the successful rollout of a free community medical camp held today in Chepsaita.
The medical outreach, organised by the Cross Country Organising Committee in collaboration with the County Government of uasin Gishu and local health professionals and partners, sought to promote community wellness and encourage a culture of preventive healthcare among residents ahead of the annual race.
Speaking during the event, The Great Chepsaita Cross Country patron Farouk Kibet said the medical camp is part of the Cross country’s broader commitment to empowering the community beyond athletics.
“The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run is more than a race — it is a platform for nurturing healthy lifestyles. This medical camp ensures our people receive critical health services while gearing up for this year’s competition,” noted Farouk.
During the medical camp, Farouk advocated for Social Health Authority, stating that it benefits most especially the common mwananchi, while encouraging the citizens to continue registering for it. Addittionally he urged dignitaries and leaders to support SHA initiative by being in the front line in seeking medical services in the country instead of travelling to other countries.
“Today’s exercise has seen more than five hundred new SHA registration and that is good news. If leaders could only set an example to tax payers by seeking medical attention in the country, then that would make the people believe in good initiative such as SHA,”said Farouk.
Farouk further appealed to both the National and County governments to invest more on the health system in the country for the people to get access to quality and affordable medical services in all hospitals.
He urged the government to build hospitals in the villages for easy access, provide modern hospital equipment as well as add on the number of healthcare workers to meet overcrowding in the health facilities most especially in the urban areas.
“Health is wealth. Without good health, then we cannot do anything. I appeal to the government to treat this sector with the seriousness that it requires,” added Farouk.
The camp offered a wide range of services including general check-ups, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, nutritional counselling, dental assessments, physiotherapy consultations, and child wellness reviews. Specialist doctors were also available for maternal health, eye care, and mental health support, ensuring residents accessed holistic care at no cost.
Local residents turned up in large numbers, with many expressing gratitude for the initiative.
“Here in the grassroots, medical services offered today are often difficult to access due to financial constraints or distance to major health facilities. Atleast such initiatives brings services close to us,” said one of the beneficiaries.
This annual run has become a significant annual event, not only promoting athletics but also championing community development initiatives. With the medical camp concluded, the organising committee affirmed that all other preparations including route inspections, logistics planning, and stakeholder coordination, are on the final stages to ensure a seamless event on Saturday.
This initiative of free medical camps is being rolled out by Ministry of Health in collaboration with various partners.
The recent ones, include, Muhoroni; Chianda Primary school in Siaysa County and now the Chepsaita held in chepkemel primary school and is set to proceed to other counties