Kenya is set to debut a relatively green squad at the East Africa Youth and Junior Championships kicking off today in Zanzibar. The two-day event will witness Kenya fielding a team of 15 athletes in the U18 and U20 Championships.
Joseph Ilovi, Secretary of Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth and Development sub-committee, explained that the decision to opt for an inexperienced team was aimed at providing exposure to budding talents ahead of the World U20 national trials scheduled for July 17-18 at Nyayo Stadium.
With the global event slated for Lima, Peru from August 26-31, Kenya is eyeing to defend its title. Ilovi mentioned that the selection process for the team was based on performances observed during the Kenya Secondary Schools track and field championships held in Machakos.
Among the selected athletes, only three have prior experience at the U18 level: sprinter Beatrice Machoka of St. Peter’s Keberesi, javelin thrower Jackline Awuor, and Samuel Toili. Machoka is set to compete in the 200m and 400m races, while Toili, the reigning regional U-18 champion, will participate in both the 400m and 800m events. Awuor, a bronze medalist at the Africa U18 Championships in Zambia and a fourth-place finisher at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, aims to secure her maiden regional title.
Machoka, a double gold medalist at the U18 category in Dar last year, is poised to replicate her success in Zanzibar. Daniel Wasike of Riooga Secondary, a silver medalist in the 100m and 200m races at the National Secondary School Games, leads Kenya’s charge in the U18 sprints, where he will contest both the 200m and 400m events alongside Evans Kiprono. Elkanah Edwin and Kennedy Kinyanchui will represent the country in the 1,500m and 3,000m races, respectively.
The U-18 girls’ team includes Esther Atsenga (100m), Rita Mwende (400m/800m), Nancy Jepng’etich (800m), and Bridget Ng’etich (3,000m). In the U20 category, Brian Okoth, the national secondary school games’ 100m and 200m champion, will lead Kenya’s medal pursuit in the 100m race.
James Gechuki, who guided Riooga’s 4x400m relay to gold at the nationals, will compete in both the 400m and 800m events, while Daniel Kioko will participate in the 5,000m race. Judith Jemutai is expected to contend for medals in the 1,500m race.
Maryanne Lasoi heads the delegation, with James Lagat serving as team manager. Betty Karanja chairs the delegation, while Joshua Kahi leads as head coach, supported by Nancy Chemutai as coach cum caregiver.
