By Athletics Kenya Media Team
A fresh cast of local and international stars, including World 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, alongside Olympic 400m hurdles champion Dalilah Muhammad, has been announced for the Kip Keino Classic slated for April 24.
The announcement was made on Thursday, April 2, 2026, during the official launch of the seventh edition of the Kip Keino Classic at the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi.
Kip Keino, meet director, Barnaba Korir, highlighted that this year’s showpiece will feature a star-studded cast of Kenyan athletes led by Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, as well as world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
“We are excited to confirm an exciting 2026 edition lineup that will include our own Ferdinand Omanyala, Timothy Cheruiyot, Julius Yego, Emmanuel Wanyonyi,” Korir said.
He also noted that a strong cast of international athletes is expected to bring an unforgettable night of intense action in Nairobi.
“We also have international stars, including Dalilah Muhammed, Muzala Samukonga, Ethan Katzberg, and Thomas Rohler, among other top stars,” he added.
Which race will Emmanuel Wanyonyi participate in at the Kip Keino Classic?
The Kip Keino meeting will serve as a crucial launching pad for Wanyonyi as he seeks to build up momentum for the international 2026 calendar year. The 21-year-old is no stranger to triumph at the Kip Keino classic, having previously won the 800m in 2022 (1:45.01), 2023 (1:43.32) and 2024 (1:43.57).
For this year’s showpiece, he will take on a longer distance, the 1,500m, flexing muscles against Timothy Cheruiyot, Jonah Koech, Vincent Keter and Abel Kipsang.
The men’s 3,000m steeplechase will see defending champion Edmund Serem take on two-time champion Abraham Kibiwot (2022 and 2024) and Amos Serem.
2023 World Cross Country U20 champion Ishmael Rokitto leads the 5,000m, joined by Cornelius Kemboi and Denis Kipkemoi as they take on Ethiopians Abdisa Fayisa and Fasika Ayele.
International athletes set for the 2026 Kip Keino Classic
The international cast includes newly minted world 200m bronze medallist Bryan Levell. Other confirmed athletes in the 200m include South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, American Kyree King and Nigerian Chidi Okezie.
The men’s 400m includes Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga taking on South African Zakithi Nene. Omanyala will flex muscles with Canada’s Aron Brown, American Brandon Hicklin and South Africa’s Leotlela Gift.
Korir further highlighted that this year’s showpiece carries added weight owing to the fact that it will be staged for the very first time at night.
“This year marks a major milestone. For the first time, the Kip Keino will be held under the floodlights of the Nyayo Stadium just like how Diamond Leagues are hosted,” he said.
He called on athletic enthusiasts to throng the Nyayo Stadium and cheer on both the local and international cast of stars.
“We call on our fans to come out in large numbers to make it another successful edition of the Kip Keino Classic,” he said.
