How Athletics Kenya is Equipping Barefoot Athletes in Remote Areas for a Brighter Future

By Robert Kibet

KITURO, Baringo County, August 21, 2025 – In the semi-arid stretches of Baringo County, where drought, famine, and cattle rustling pose daily challenges, young athletes are discovering that sport can be a powerful pathway to opportunity. Junior athletes at the Kituro Under-20 Holiday Camp received training kits that could transform not only their athletic careers but also their communities.
The training kits, including proper shoes and T-shirts, were delivered by Elizabeth Keitany, Athletics Kenya (AK) Safeguarding Chair, and Dominic Ondieki.

These kits had been promised earlier by AK Youth Development Director and NOCK First Deputy President Barnaba Korir, who honored his pledge during the visit. Many of the young runners had previously trained in akala—sandals made from old tyres—and Crocs, which limited their ability to train effectively and safely.

The athletes come from as far as Tiaty, a region that has borne the brunt of cattle rustling and drought. For these children, running is more than a sport; it is a chance to rise above their challenging circumstances. Their joy at receiving the kits was palpable; they danced, celebrated, and pledged to train harder, win medals, and positively impact their families.
David Ng’etich, Baringo County Commandant and a former marathoner, addressed the athletes: “Sport is a powerful tool to unite communities. These young athletes are not just running for medals—they are running for hope and harmony.”

Athletes receives training shoes form Athletics Kenya Youth Development department

Elizabeth Keitany added, “Seeing them run in proper shoes for the first time is inspiring. With the right support, their talent can transform not only their lives but also their families and communities.”
The Kituro camp is among over 55 Under-20 holiday athletics camps across Kenya that have nurtured the current crop of track champions dominating global races. By providing the right tools and support, these camps have helped transform raw talent from remote and underserved regions into world-class athletes.

***Elizabeth Keitany hands shoes to an athlete***Empowering young runners in Baringo County is more than a gesture of goodwill; it is a potential game changer. Athletics provides these youth with discipline, confidence, and leadership skills, while offering an alternative to negative influences such as cattle rustling and conflict. In the long term, these athletes can become role models, inspiring peers to pursue education, sport, and positive social change.

***Youth Development officer Dominic Ondieki handing over shoes and t-shirts to athletes***

For communities like Kituro and Tiaty, investment in youth athletics is also an investment in social cohesion, economic opportunity, and hope for a brighter future. The journey from akala to running shoes symbolizes more than an upgrade in gear; it represents empowerment, opportunity, and the transformative power of nurturing young talent.