Kenya has launched its first water games federation at the Sagana Rapids Camp in Murang’a County.
The inaugural federation, held over the weekend, will now oversee all water rafting activities in the country.
Speaking during the launch, the Kenya Rafting Federation (KRF) Secretary General William Kinuthia noted that with the federation outside Nairobi County, the initiative will play a huge role in protecting the natural resources sources and consequently conserve the environment while promoting tourism.
“Even as we raft and attract tourists in these two counties of Murang’a and Kirinyaga, we will also conserve our environment, considering that this is the first federation outside Nairobi doing water sports, and we are excited to get closer to the community,” he stated.
He noted that the federation, together with other stakeholders, will ensure the protection of the water sources where rafting takes place.
“This is also going to encourage tourism in place and the sport, and it is a big thing for the residents of Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties, “he noted.
Kinuthia averred that the federation will be professionally run and is looking forward to bringing the world championship to the country because of all the infrastructure in place: there is the river and the hotels and stakeholders who are supporting the movement.
“We will also educate the local community not to cut down trees and to encourage the growing of trees, “he added.
The federation will assist in overseeing the coordinating and regulating of rafting activities in the country while at the same time advancing rafting safety standards and promoting the certification and professional training of river rafting guidelines to ensure quality standard operating procedures.
“We are also in consultation with the Ministry of Education to deliberate on how water games training can be included in the CBC curriculum so as to help nurture talent from a tender age,” he said.
On his part, Lee Daniel from Salvage Camp decried that for the 35 years he has lived in the country, the river Sagana has kept on dwindling, and now more than ever before, the water quality has gotten worse.
“The water quality has been greatly affected, and it is my hope that with this federation in place, we will come together and tackle this challenge and restore this natural beauty even as we prevent deforestation along the rivers,” he said.
Julius Kamau, former Chief Conservator, Kenya Forest Service, called on the community to conserve our natural heritage, especially the water catchment areas covered by our forests.
“It is a great initiative, and I know Kenya will be leading in this sport globally a few years from now because rafting is an adventurous sport, and nature and the community are intertwined, and this is a great milestone for the country, so let us protect the forest ecosystem.“
He underscored the need for the federation to advance conservation of our natural heritage for the sustainability of water sports.
Furthermore, he urged the young people to take advantage of the federation and socially network with like-minded individuals across the globe through the federation.
By Florence Kinyua