Kenya to Send 36-Member Swim Team to Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championships in Rwanda

Aquatics Kenya is set to send a contingent of 36 swimmers to compete in the Africa Aquatics Zone 3 championships scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 23 to 26.

Collins Marigiri, the secretary-general of Kenya Aquatics, expressed optimism about the team’s performance as they aim to cultivate a new generation of swimmers following the recent lifting of the World Aquatics ban. The team was selected during the Time Trial held at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium last weekend.

Despite financial constraints preventing the team from reaching the full quota of 48 swimmers as per the CANA (Confédération Africaine de Natation) requirements, Marigiri hopes for increased support from corporate and government entities in the coming years.

He thanked the East African Swimming Federation for welcoming Kenya back into the competition following the ban.

Top Kenyan swimmers, including Alala, Macrine Kalombo, Nyakundi Baraka, Bayusuf Igbal, and Ariana Warui from Seahorses Aquatics, will represent Kenya at the championships.

Alala, in particular, has earned a scholarship at the University of Pretoria (TUKS) and is on the path to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA.

Team Kenya, which competed under a neutral flag at last year’s edition in Dar es Salaam, will face competition from Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania, and host Rwanda in the 10-12 years, 13-14 years, and 15-16 years categories.

The squad

Girls 10-12: Child Jeanette, Kamiri Maya, Swai Zahra, Elsie Wanjiru, Mutinda Nalwoga, Osimbo Venesse, Elliana Maina

Boys 10-12: Khuywelid Khadija, Nyakundi Baraka, Irungu Adrian, Thuranira Nael, Brett Mwangi, Matthew Njogu, Ted Mburu, Mark Ombwayo, Andrew Ogolla

Girls 13-14: Irangi Nina, Saniyah Omoro, Kingatua Amana, Macrine Kalombo, Marion Alala, Ariana Warui

Boys 13-14: Victor Oketch, Bayusuf Igbal, Khuweylid Khunayo, Nathan Waziri

Girls 15-16: Caffini Duini, Maina Wangechi, Aaliyah Webber, Moige Kotut, Audrey Chebet, Sara Mawira, Ameya Rana

Boys 15-16: Sheikh Mohammed.