By Athletics Kenya Media Team
A formidable contingent of 104 athletes has been unveiled to carry the nation’s hopes at the upcoming World Relays and African Championships, following the conclusion of a pulsating three-day combined trials at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday.
From the squad, 30 athletes have been entrusted with relay duties at the World Relays, while 74 will don the national singlet for continental honours at the African Championships.
When and where will the 2026 World Relays be held?
The World Relays are slated for May 2-3 in Gaborone, Botswana, with the African Championships taking centre stage from May 12-17 in Accra, Ghana.
In Gaborone, Kenya will parade five relay teams, the 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays, men’s and women’s 4x400m squads, as well as the men’s 4x100m team.
The continental assault in Accra will be spearheaded by five-time javelin champion Julius Yego and world 1,500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot, both carrying the weight of expectation as seasoned campaigners.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s relay ambitions will be anchored by Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, alongside seasoned sprinter Millicent Ndoro, forming the backbone of the nation’s sprint arsenal.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei exuded confidence in the squad’s readiness, expressing belief in their ability to rise to the occasion on both fronts.
“We hope and believe that the athletes will do well. The athletes are ready and in high spirits. We wish them all the best as they go out to represent the country,” Tuwei said.
Who won Kenya’s 800m World Relays and African Championships trials?
The final day of action delivered a string of standout performances, headlined by the men’s 800m showdown, where Kelvin Loti stormed to victory in 1:45.04.
Laban Chepkwony followed closely in 1:45.19, with Brian Masai sealing the podium in 1:45.82. Loti expressed satisfaction with his run, noting: “The race was good for me and I am happy with the results.”
With his continental ticket secured, the 800m ace is already eyeing a strong showing in Accra.
“I am hoping for good results at the African Championships,” he added.
In the men’s 5,000m, Denis Kemboi timed his race to perfection, clocking 13:33.74 to take top honours ahead of Andrew Alamisi (13:34.30) and Amason Kireu (13:36.42).
Alamisi revealed he had to dig deep after battling fatigue from the semi-finals.
“We started with the semis on Thursday, and I was fourth. My body felt heavy that day, but I prayed to be strong in the finals,” he said.
The youngster remains bullish about his medal prospects on the continental stage.
“When I make the Kenya team, I don’t miss a medal. This will be my first senior Team Kenya, and I hope for the best.”
The men’s 1,500m produced a tactical masterclass as Reynold Cheruiyot surged to victory in 3:36.1, edging Brian Komen (3:36.4) and Dominic Bargentuny (3:37.4).
Cheruiyot welcomed the result, underlining the competitive edge in the race.
“The race today was good, we pushed each other, and I am glad with the results. I hope for good results in Ghana. We will push ourselves with Komen to secure gold and silver,” he said.
He further revealed that his international season will kick off in Xiamen, where he will step up to the 5,000m.
“My first international race, I will start with Xiamen, and I will be running a 5,000m.”
Defending champion Brian Komen acknowledged the task ahead as he gears up to protect his continental crown.
“I had prepared well for this race; I was also using it to gauge my body. I am the defending champion, so I know I have a lot of work, but I will try my best to defend the title.”
Komen also echoed confidence in a Kenyan one-two finish.
“We will work with Reynold so that we can finish first and second.”
In the men’s javelin throw, Boniface Kilonzo edged a tightly contested duel, unleashing a winning throw of 76.76m to narrowly beat Alexander Kiprotich (76.71m), while Duncan Kinyanchui settled for third with 70.06m.
TEAM KENYA for WORLD ATHLETICS RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
4x100m Men and 4x100m Mixed (Male athletes)
- Ronald Kiprono Koech
- Mark Otieno Odhiambo
- Moses Wasike Onyango
- Elkana Kiprotich Sabila
- Dennis Wangui Mwai
- Meshack Kitsubuli Babu
- Ferdinand Omanyala
- Samuel Waweru Chege
- Steve Odhiambo Onyango
4x100m Mixed Women
- Millicent Ndoro
- Diana Lilian Awako Aoko
- Eunice Kadogo Murandafu
4x400m Men and 4x400m Mixed (Male Athletes)
- Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui
- Dennis Masika Mulongo
- George Mutinda Mutuku
- Kevin Kipkorir
- Danson Kibet
- Erick Kimathi
- Brian Onyari Tinega
- Kipkorir Rotich
- Erastus Mbaluka Musilu
4x400m Women and 4x400m Mixed Female Athletes
- Mercy Chebet
- Hellen Syombua Kalii
- Maureen Nanjala Wafula
- Anne Mbatha Nzula
- Margaret Naserian Tajeu
- Mercy Adongo Oketch
- Gladys Muthoni Ngure
- Purity Chepkoech Joy
- Lanoline Owino Aoko
TEAM KENYA – AFRICAN SENIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
100m Women
- Millicent Ndoro
- Lilian Aoko
- Eunice Kadogo
100m Men
- Ronald Koech
- Mark Odhiambo
- Moses Wasike
100m hurdles Women
- Rukia Nusra
200m Women
- Lilian Aoko
200m Men
- Dennis Mwai
- Ronald Koech
- Elkana Sabila
400m Women
- Mercy Chebet
- Hellen Syombua
- Maureen Wafula
400m Men
- Kelvin Kiprotich
- Dennis Masika
- George Mutinda
400m hurdles Women
- Gladys Ngure
- Vanice Kerubo
400m hurdles Men
- Kipkorir Rotich
- Edward Ngunjiri
800m Women
- Vivian Chebet
- Alice Ekiru
- Pauline Ndusu
800m Men
- Kelvin Loti
- Laban Chepkwony
- Brian Masai
1500m Women
- Mary Ekiru
- Faith Chebet
- Vivian Chebet
1500m Men
- Reynold Cheruiyot
- Brian Komen
- Dominic Barngetuny
3000m steeplechase Women
- Diana Chepkemoi
- Mercy Chepngeno
- Mercy Mageso
3000m steeplechase Men
- Peter Rono
- Shadrack Too
5000m Women
- Maurine Chebor
- Joyline Chepkemoi
- Cynthia Chepkurui
5000m Men
- Denis Kemboi
- Andrew Alamisi
- Laban Kosgei
10000m Women
- Diana Wanza
- Mercy Mageso
- Phenah Yego
10000m Men
- Kevin Chesang
- Silas Senchura
- Mathew Kipkoech
20km race walk Women
- Sylvaia Kemboi
- Caren Simiyu
20km race walk Men
- Samuel Gathimba
- Stephen Ndangiri
High jump Women
- Faith Kipsang
High jump Men
- Asbel Kemboi
Long jump Women
- Zeddy Jesire
Long jump Men
- Isaac Kimunu
Triple jump Women
- Martha Nyabuto
- Faith Kipsang
- Winnie Bii
Triple jump Men
- Amos Mwendwa
- Gilbert Pkemoi
- Kevin Kiprono
Shot put Women
- Belinda Oburu
- Sarah Okumu
Discus Women
- Caroline Cherotich
Hammer Women
- Roseline Rakamba
Hammer Men
- Dominic Abunda
Javelin Men
- Boniface Kilonzo
- Alexander Kiprotich
- Julius Yego
Javelin Women
- Caroline Odwory
Decathlon
- Edwin Too
