Kenyans and politicians have expressed mixed reactions after activist Boniface Mwangi, advised people to occupy Standard Chartered (StanChart)Marathon that will take place on Sunday, October 27.
Boniface Mwangi asked Kenyans participating in the race to carry the Kenyan flag as a symbol of resistance against “President William Ruto’s dictatorship”.
“Are you taking part in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon next Sunday, October 27? Let’s run to entrench justice within our borders, as our national anthem promises. Your marathon race is vital towards making Kenya a better place,” he wrote.
Mwangi urged Kenyans to wear a bandana emblazoned with “#RutoMustGo” and encouraged them to shout “RutoMustGo” while recording and sharing their actions online.
“Print fliers with Ruto’s face, stick them on the marathon route and joggers can trample on them. That’s the way he’s stamping on powerless Kenyans,” he added.
“Are you a spectator? Make a placard of Ruto’s face, or an effigy and marathon participants can engage with it.”
Boniface Mwangi Calls on Kenyans to Occupy StanChart Marathon
The activist also masked Kenyans to wear T-shirts commemorating the Mashujaa (heroes) who lost their lives in the June-July protests, where over 64 lives were cut short, hundreds were left maimed for life, and many others remain missing.
“Are you a spectator? Bring a placard with your message to President Ruto, take a pic while at the marathon, and use the marathon tag on your post as well as #RutoMustGo,” Mwangi wrote.
“Do a placard declaring: “Resist Adani takeover.” Take a picture while at the marathon and post online. Once you finish the marathon, Search for the Matanga ya Kahongo song, and record yourself singing the verse.”
Mwangi also advised Kenyans not to interfere with or disrupt the race, emphasizing the importance of keeping their actions peaceful.
He mentioned that this act of resistance aims to maintain the spirit of change, which he believes has lost legitimacy.
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Reactions over Occupying the Marathon
However, Mwangi’s actions have faced criticism, including from Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who wrote to Police IG Douglas Kanja urging him to ensure that the marathon’s organizers, participants, and all stakeholders adhere strictly to the law.
Alai emphasized that the marathon should be preserved as a tool for promoting cohesion and positivity, rather than division and hatred.
“Turning this event into a stage for political protests and promoting divisive ethnic narratives, as suggested by some of Boniface Mwangi’s recent public statements, undermines the very essence of what the marathon is about,” reads his letter in part.
“The police should be vigilant and prepared to act against any attempts to turn this sporting event into a platform for hate, ethnic chauvinism, or anarchy. Any such actions could potentially erode the positive impact the marathon has built over the years and stain the country’s reputation on an international stage.”
Alai urged the IG to take swift and firm action against individuals and groups attempting to hijack peaceful events to advance personal or political agendas that foster division.
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Some Kenyans Oppose Boniface Mwangi’s Move
Meanwhile, Dr. Branice Munyasa expressed that most recreational runners have dedicated the entire year—or at least 13 weeks—to training for the StanChart Marathon.
She added that participants in the StanChart marathon had to wake up earlier than usual to put in at least one hour of running during the week, with training sessions extending to three hours or more on weekends.
“They have made sacrifices in terms of time and resources to prepare for this, waking up at 4 am to turn up for speedwork, giving up alcohol for months and spending Saturday mornings doing long runs,” she said.
“I can’t imagine how they must feel to see the possibility of the day they’ve been preparing so hard get disrupted not by the people we all cumulatively hate but their own fellow citizens who cannot differentiate a family fun day event to a political event.”
Another user, Cathy Muthuku stated, “This is wrong, don’t interfere with standard chartered marathon, organize your own event, people have paid money and there are kids involved, then police are going to start throwing teargas, what will you achieve.”
John Mwangi opined, “Invading corporate/private/public functions not in any way related or affiliated to political inclinations is immature and an infringement upon their rights and freedoms. It’ll just affect stanchart and participants negatively and not the targeted political class. Organise yours.”
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