With coronavirus biting across the world, the Eastern region joined the rest of the regions in the country in closing down all the athletes training camps as part of measures to contain the pandemic.
Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties that have enjoyed a good number of athletes like Patrick Makau, joined the athletics mad region of North Rift in closing down all training camps.
The regions contain of Machakos Training Camp that has more than 70 athletes, Iuani Training Camp with more than 30, Katwyanyaa Training Camp with more than 30 Athletes and Individuals Athletes who train in groups in the region.
Led by the chairman of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni (MAKIMA) Athletics Welfare chairman Philip Muia, they restorted to close the camps.
Muia said athletes are the most vulnerable in contracting and spreading the virus because they mingle with many foreigners than any other person in this country.
“Due to their vulnerability, we decided to close all the training camps following the government and Athletics Kenya directives,” said the retired runner.
He added that most athletes were Juniors who were preparing for the world under 20 championship to be held in Nairobi July 2020.
The region boasts of former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau and former world cross country silver medalist Patrick Ivuti among others.
But in North Rift, governors Alex Tolgos of Elgeyo Marakwet, Jackson Mandago from Uasin Gishu and Stephen Sang of Nandi closed all training camps to end the spread of the virus.