Thika, Saturday:
Celestine Biwott is determined to reclaim her place in the steeplechase after taking a year-long break for studies.
The athlete, who trains in Ngong, marked her return at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Championships where she battled a highly competitive field on tough terrain to claim bronze.
She then competed in the Absa Sirikwa Cross Country at The Lobo Village in Eldoret, last weekend, testing her endurance over a two-kilometre loop.
She then shifted to the steeplechase, running under clear skies at Thika Stadium in the second leg of the Betika Weekend Meeting that attracted top-tier competitors from various regions and affiliates.
“Steeplechase is my game, and I am motivated by (Bahrain’s Kenya-born Olympic champion) Winfred Yavi. I had no injuries last season, but since I was away for a year on a course, Chepsaita was my first event as a comeback,” Biwott said in Thika.
Now setting her sights on qualification for the Tokyo World Championships, Biwott is focusing on refining her barrier-jumping technique.
However, she expressed concerns over the Thika race, citing a substandard water jump that posed a challenge to athletes.
Moving forward, Biwott remains committed to sharpening her skills and making a mark in her signature event which she won in Thika with a time of 10 minutes, 16.3 seconds.
Dorothy Jepkoech came second in 11:00.4, while Ann Gathoni Ndungu clocked 11:02.2 to settle for third place.
Race Walkers Shine, But Lack of Judges
The rhythmic tapping of racing shoes echoed around Thika Stadium as Kenya’s top race walkers took center stage.
Samuel Gathimba, the 2016 African Championships 20-kilometre race walk gold medalist, dominated the men’s 10,000m race walk, crossing the finish line in an impressive 41:44.7 on Friday.
Heristone Wanyonyi Wafula, of the National Police Service team, followed in 42:40.6, while Africa Under-18 bronze medalist Stephen Kihu Ndangiri, representing Prisons, secured third place.
Despite their evident talent, Kenyan race walkers face an uphill battle in global competitions—not due to a lack of skill, but because of the country’s inability to qualify athletes for major events.
The reason? A shortage of certified race-walking judges, a crucial requirement for international qualification.
Unlike other track events, race walking demands strict officiating to ensure athletes adhere to technique regulations.
Without World Athletics-certified judges at local meets, Kenya’s race walkers are often left competing without a pathway to Olympic or World Championship qualification, despite their remarkable performances.
“I had prepared mentally, and my body responded well. I am now focusing on the Tokyo World Championships. Today’s track, because of the soil, made it difficult for a race walker to maintain balance, which is why we had to use the second lane at some point,” said Gathimba, who trains in Nyeri, one of Kenya’s high-altitude training centres.
Sensing tough competition, Gathimba took control of the pace early. “Immediately, I noticed the challenge from my rivals, so I decided to test the pack. Once I realized I had the capacity, I controlled the race. From my participation in global championships, including the Olympics, I’ve learned that endurance and mileage are key,” he added.
Event Gallery> Photos: Peter Njoroge
For Wanyonyi, the race was part of his preparation for trials ahead of the Tokyo World Championships. “Today’s course was tough due to the track. I usually train in Iten and Moiben, using the tarmac, which is ideal for race walking,” he noted.
While Wanyonyi claims that race walkers in Kenya cannot attain qualification standards in local events due to a lack of World Athletics-certified judges, head coach Julius Kirwa dismissed the concerns.
“What these race walkers need to do is to be serious in training under a coach. Most of them do not come out to train seriously. If they did, they would be assisted under a trained coach,” said Kirwa, adding that Kenya has sent athletes like Gathimba, who attained qualification standards on home soil.
“I call on Athletics Kenya to help us secure sponsorships that will enable us to qualify in races abroad. I am capable of excelling in the 10,000m, 20,000m, and 35,000m categories,” Wanyonyi added.
Silvia Kemboi Wins Women’s Walk
Silvia Jerono Kemboi dominated the 10,000m Race Walk Women Final, clocking 49:56.7 to secure victory. The seasoned race walker from the Central Rift region, training at Kaptagat under coach Peninah Talam, led from the second lap, maintaining a steady pace to fend off tough competition from younger challengers.
“My participation and silver medal win at the African Championships taught me that training is key to success. I realized I have to work on speed as I prepare to eye a slot at the trials for the Tokyo World Championships,” said Jerono.
Mercyline Wanjala Nakhumicha, an emerging talent from Nairobi, claimed second place with a time of 50:34.9, showing great promise in the demanding discipline.
The 16-year-old displayed remarkable endurance and tactical awareness, closing the gap on the leader in the final laps.
Naum Jepkirui, representing KDF, rounded off the podium with a solid 51:34.1 finish. The 28-year-old demonstrated resilience and composure, holding off a challenge from Caren Naliaka Simiyu, who finished just seconds behind in fourth place.
With this victory, Silvia Jerono Kemboi cements her status as one of Kenya’s top race walkers, while young athletes like Mercyline Wanjala signal a bright future for the sport in the country.
As Kenya’s race walkers continue to push their limits, the hope remains that Athletics Kenya will address the officiating gap, ensuring these athletes get a fair shot at global competition.
Celestine Biwott’s return to the track signals a determined push for steeplechase dominance, while Kenya’s race walkers continue to shine despite structural challenges.
The Betika AK Weekend Meeting in Thika highlighted both the depth of talent and the hurdles that remain.
As Biwott fine-tunes her barrier skills and Kenya’s race walkers push for better officiating standards, one thing is certain—these athletes are hungry for success. With the right support, they could soon be making waves on the world stage.
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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