By KPC Reporter
The Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series is expected to inject more than 1,000 direct jobs into Kenya’s tourism sector, underscoring the government’s strategy of using sports, culture and adventure tourism to drive inclusive growth in rural communities.
The 2026 edition of the series officially got underway on Thursday in Tinderet, Nandi County, with Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei flagging off the opening event of the year.
Speaking at the launch, Chepkemei said the trail series had demonstrated strong economic benefits for host communities, noting that government support would continue, particularly in infrastructure development, to unlock tourism potential in rural areas.
“The Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series, now in its second year, is intentionally designed to leave a lasting impact in the destinations where it is hosted,” Chepkemei said.
“Beyond the adventure experience, our focus is on capacity building, skills development and delivering tangible economic benefits to local communities. Our goal is to inject around a thousand jobs into the sector and help bridge existing capacity gaps.”
This year’s series introduces 4×4 off-road adventure rides for the first time, complementing cycling and hiking activities to create a more immersive, multi-disciplinary experience.
The addition is part of efforts to position Kenya as a premier adventure tourism destination.
As part of its community empowerment agenda, KTB also announced that 100 students from the host region will receive scholarships in hospitality and tourism-related courses.
“We want young Kenyans to be equipped with the skills needed to actively participate in and benefit from the growth of the tourism industry,” Chepkemei added.
The three-day expedition, which runs until Saturday, blends off-road driving, cycling, hiking, cultural immersion and competitive sport, offering participants a comprehensive experience of Kenya’s highland landscapes and cultural heritage.
The Nandi leg is the first stop of the 2026 Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series and is co-headlined by the Taptengelei Cultural Festival and the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run.
Friday’s programme features the Taptengelei Cultural Festival, where participants will engage with traditional Kalenjin practices such as mursik preparation, indigenous farming demonstrations, cultural attire displays and interactive learning sessions with elders and cultural practitioners.
The event will culminate on Saturday with the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run, which also serves as a selection event for Kenya’s team to the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
Organisers expect more than 3,000 runners and over 10,000 spectators, making it one of the largest sporting events in the region.
Tinderet Member of Parliament Julius Melly lauded the organisers and partners for entrenching the events as a permanent fixture in the region’s calendar.
“These events have firmly established Tinderet and the wider Nandi region as key tourism and sporting destinations,” Melly said.
“This is the home of champions, producing world beaters, and our aim is to leverage that reputation to grow tourism and economically empower our communities.”
He urged residents to seize the opportunity presented by the influx of visitors by offering services such as food, transport and accommodation.
“The benefits of tourism grow when communities fully participate,” he said.
The 2026 Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series will continue with similar events across the country throughout the year, showcasing Kenya’s diverse landscapes and cultures while strengthening its appeal to local and international adventure enthusiasts.