Marathon Launch

To mark Standard Chartered Kenya’s centennial anniversary and to celebrate the launch of the Nairobi Marathon, the Bank on 5th September 2011 organized an event inaugurating the “Torch tour” from Nairobi to Mombasa, which is being run by 25 members of staff.

The staff who embarked on the ‘torch run’ were led by Maxwell Nyamu having been flagged off by the Chief Guest, Mr. Jonathan Soi, Senior Deputy Secretary Ministry for Youth and Sports and arrived in Mombasa on Friday 9th September 2011 after undertaking the grueling 500 kilometers relay. Upon arrival, there were a series of events to celebrate 100 years in Mombasa which included; a ‘Seeing is Believing’ 5 Km run from Mama Ngina Drive to our Treasury Square branch, a golf tournament, launch of the Treasury Square Priority centre, a visit to our ‘Seeing is Believing’ projects in Mombasa by the SCB Kenya Board and a centennial dinner.

The beginning of the torch tour was a remarkable milestone as the Bank was not only celebrating the launch of the ninth edition of the Nairobi Marathon, but also celebrating 100 years since it opened its first two branches; Treasury Square in Mombasa and Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi. 100 years later, the Bank is one of the most profitable financial institutions in Kenya with 33 branches, 184 ATMs countrywide and assets valued at over KShs145 billion.

While delivering his remarks at the colorful event held at the new head offices located at Chiromo, Westlands to personalities from the sports fraternity, Seeing is Believing beneficiaries, media, staff, co-sponsors among other dignitaries, the CEO, Richard Etemesi said; “With the Bank celebrating 100 years in Kenya, this year’s marathon themed; ‘Share the Vision’ will be a highlight reinforcing the bank’s brand promise of ‘Here for good’.”

The centennial celebrations will bring to light the rich history of the humble beginnings of the first Standard Chartered branch in Kenya on 4th December 1910. Back then, the first ‘manager-to-be’ was rowed to shore to set up Standard Chartered Bank’s first branch in Mombasa. An Arab building on Vasco da Gama Street provided the premises for Standard Chartered in Kenya and a branch was opened in 1911.In Nairobi, a second branch was opened on Government Road - now Kenyatta Avenue.

All proceeds from the Nairobi marathon will once again go towards ‘Seeing is Believing’, to eradicate avoidable blindness among children below the age of 9.