South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), on Saturday, 31st October 2026, held the Red Ribbon Marathon with the objective of creating awareness on drugs and substance abuse while involving the community in the struggle to control the menace. The marathon brought together students, staff of the university, stakeholders, and the community at large who were all working towards one common agenda which is the creation of a society free of drugs and substances while encouraging healthy behaviors. The Guest was Mrs. Tessie Mudavadi, who was represented by Mr. Philip Were. In her message, she expressed the need for more partnership between institutions, communities and other stakeholders in protecting young people from substance abuse.
The Red Ribbon Marathon provided a very crucial platform for advocacy and community mobilization. Participants took part in various race categories, including the 21 km half marathon, 10 km race, 5 km run, and 2.5 km run, demonstrating their commitment to the cause through sport. The event used sports as a platform to promote healthy lifestyles, positive social behavior, and productive decision-making. It also called for targeted efforts in protecting the young ones, who are vulnerable to substance abuse. Apart from the individual level, it is faced with great difficulties when it comes to development of communities and countries.
Through its staging of the Red Ribbon Marathon, SEKU has once again emphasized its commitment to provide a conducive and enabling environment to develop responsible and healthy students. This initiative is a result of the realization by the institution that education transcends classroom teaching and embraces addressing social issues that impact on the lives of the students. There is need for universities to play their part in fostering responsible citizenry through provision of forums for dialogue, awareness creation and community involvement. Institutions of higher learning can help in prevention of the vice through informed decision making and healthy living styles among others.
Participation of different stakeholders in the event also illustrates that dealing with this vice needs a concerted effort. Families, schools, governments, community leaders and other stakeholders are supposed to be involved in educating and guiding youths to make informed decisions. As the runners hit the streets, their message was one of hope, unity, and determination, as fighting the war against drugs needs collective effort. The Red Ribbon Marathon was an opportunity for everyone to see that everyone has a part to play in ensuring that the future generation is safe. The Red Ribbon Marathon is a way of showcasing how much SEKU values community involvement.
