(MOMBASA, KENYA) – The coastal city of Mombasa came alive as athletes, fitness enthusiasts, leaders, and community members gathered on Sunday for the inaugural Mombasa Mega Marathon 2026.
The race was organised by the Mombasa County government and a galaxy of civil society organisations. It sought to promote a healthy lifestyle and champion a drug free society.
The inaugural Mombasa Mega Marathon themed “Stride for a Drug-Free Generation” sought to raise awareness about drug and substance abuse and promote a healthier lifestyle.
The anti-drug marathon took off at the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, a seaside public park overlooking the Kilindini Channel. The race then snaked through the streets of the seaside city and finished at the same spot.
The event provided participants with a racing experience through some beautiful and historic streets in Mombasa. It also served as fun and entertainment at the finish point.
Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir joined thousands of residents for the marathon. He said it was a powerful statement that Mombasa residents choose health, purpose, and a future free from drugs and substance abuse.
Governor Nassir said the event sought to raise awareness against drug and substance abuse and promote healthy and drug free lifestyles for the youth.
Little Nick and Betsy Cheruiyot won the 42 kilometre main races at the Mombasa Mega Marathon in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Winners took home cash prizes, medals, and souvenirs from sponsors. The top prize for the 42 km full marathon was KES 500,000 ($3,450 / £2,700). The rewards extended down to the top 10 finishers across major competitive categories.
Nassir, who is also the chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) Committee on Health, said the prevalence of drug abuse has a negative impact on public health and safety. He said there was a need for all hands to be on deck to curtail the menace.
The governor said that his administration, in collaboration with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and other stakeholders, had scaled up public campaigns aimed at tackling drug abuse in society.
According to NACADA, Mombasa has the highest drug abuse prevalence rate in Kenya at 34.4%. Data from the Authority shows that commonly abused substances include alcohol, cannabis (bhang), miraa/muguka, prescription drugs, and hard narcotics like heroin and cocaine, with the youth being the worst affected.
Mombasa has one major national public drug rehabilitation facility, the Miritini Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre run by NACADA. This is alongside county level youth and community support facilities developed by the county administration.
The anti-drug agency says the alarming rate of hard drug use among the youth in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu has assumed worrisome dimensions despite persistent campaigns against the vice.