At the sun-soaked yet pleasantly mild Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, Kenya once again underlined its reputation as a global athletics powerhouse, dominating the just-concluded Eastern Africa Regional (EAAR) Under-18 and Under-20 Championships.
Unlike the usual tropical heat expected in Zanzibar, the weather served up an unusually temperate setting, ideal conditions that Kenya’s young athletes made the most of.
From blistering sprints to endurance-testing long-distance events, the Kenyan team collected 21 medals, including 12 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze medals, topping the combined medal table.
“This was a lean team of just 14 athletes, but remarkably, every single one returned home with a medal,” said Joseph Ilovi, the Athletics Kenya Youth Development Secretary, who led the team. “That speaks volumes about the talent and preparation these young athletes bring. They are the future of Kenyan athletics.”
Middle-Distance Magic
Leading Kenya’s golden charge was Doricah Isoe, who lit up the women’s U20 1,500m with a commanding win in 4:15.07, a time that underscored her rising star status.
“I felt confident and focused throughout the race,” said Isoe, who is set to join the University of Kentucky on an athletics scholarship. “It’s a great honor to win for Kenya and continue the legacy of the great runners who inspire me.”
Under-18 Domination
In the U18 category, Kenya stormed to the top of the medal standings with seven golds, three silvers, and a bronze. A standout moment came from the U18 boys’ 4x400m relay team — Kapaiko David, Wasike Daniel, Antony Lemoshira, and Kiech Nashon, who delivered one of the meet’s most thrilling finishes to clock 3:23.19 and take gold.
Kapaiko, still a junior secondary school student, won three medals across different events. Ilovi hailed his performance as a sign of things to come.
“He’s just starting, and already he’s a multi-medalist.
That tells you the kind of talent we’re nurturing in our youth system,” said Ilovi. “These are genuine school-going athletes, selected through national junior and secondary school championships.”
Depth in Distance and Steeplechase
Kenya’s distance dominance remained firmly intact.
Clare Cheruto, in the U18 girls’ 3000m, clinched bronze with a gritty 9:22.08 run.
She doubled up with another bronze in the steeplechase, a discipline where Kenya has long ruled the world stage.
Another promising name, Lornah Cherono, finished a valiant fifth in the 3,000m, proving Kenya’s talent pool runs deep.
Sprint Surge
In a field traditionally dominated by West African nations, Kenya made bold strides in the sprints.
Joyce Khakasa, a student at Mutumu Secondary School, powered to gold in the U18 girls’ 100m, stunning rivals with an explosive start and smooth finish.
“It feels incredible,” said Khakasa. “Kenya is known for distance running, but I want to show we can sprint too.”
Adding to the momentum, Daisy Chepngetich Ruto from Tiloa, Nakuru County, claimed silver in the U20 women’s 400m, finishing in 57.32 seconds.
Her drive and grit added yet another highlight to Kenya’s expanding range across athletic disciplines.
Rising Through the Ranks
In the U20 category, Uganda put up a strong fight, edging Kenya with six golds to five. But in the combined U18 and U20 standings, Kenya’s 12 golds led the region, with Zanzibar rounding out the top three.
Kenya’s boys also impressed in the 800m, with James Gechuki and Nashon Kiech earning bronze and silver, respectively, while Antony Kibiwot ran 14:01.14 to bag bronze in the U20 5000m.
Building Toward Continental Glory
Ilovi emphasized that the impressive results are just the beginning of a much longer journey. “We told the athletes that this is not the end,” he said.
“There’s a bigger stage coming up — the CAA U18 and U20 African Championships in July, and this team will form the backbone of our national squad. They’ve already shown they’re ready.”
Ilovi also acknowledged the challenges the team faced, particularly in maintaining integrity in youth competition.
“Age cheating from other countries was a challenge,” he noted. “But our boys and girls rose above it. Their performance proves that integrity and hard work still triumph.”
A Glimpse Into the Future
As the curtains fell on a spirited weekend of competition, Kenya’s young stars stood tall, not just with medals but with the confidence and composure of athletes on the brink of global success. From the roaring crowd at Amani Stadium to the quiet resolve in their stride, these youth athletes gave the world a preview of the champions they are becoming.
And for a country where running is more than a sport, its identity, the future looks faster, stronger, and more promising than ever.
Korir On Team’s Success, Future Plans
Reflecting on Kenya’s success at the championship, Barnaba Korir, the Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth Development Director, shared his pride in the team’s performance and the leadership behind it.
“First of all, I would like to thank the team leadership. The team is doing very well, and we are proud as a federation. We have a team that has gone out and successfully won medals,” Korir said.
Korir also acknowledged some organizational challenges, particularly the shift in the event’s timing.
“We had a problem with the organisation in Tanzania. Initially, we were to do it in April, but there were some changes. Luckily, the championship in Mombasa Primary has now gone to schools. We can move forward with the team that has been set up, and it shows that the curve is aligned,” he explained.
A key factor in Kenya’s continued athletic success, Korir noted, is the strong partnership with the Ministry of Education.
“Working very closely and in partnership with the Ministry of Education has helped in nurturing talent. We work hand in hand to ensure that the talent we nurture is always successful,” he said.
Looking forward, Korir outlined the team’s preparation for the upcoming African Under-18 and Under-20 Championships in Algeria, followed by the 2026 Olympics in Senegal.
“We are now preparing for the African Under-18 and Under-20 Championships in Algeria in July. This is the team that has qualified, and others will still get the chance to try and make the team,” he said.
Korir also stressed the importance of education for young athletes. “We continue to encourage other athletes to be part of that programme. Kenya, together with the government, is working to ensure that those who don’t get US scholarships can still pursue university education here at home.
“We emphasize that education should be a priority alongside athletics. Athletics is a means to an end,” he said.
Finally, Korir recognized the significant role the government has played in supporting grassroots athletics.
“Twelve gold medals, four silver, and five bronze, that means a lot for the country and the federation. This also contributes to our efforts in pushing the government to fund and support young talent at the grassroots,” he concluded.
With continued support and development, Kenya’s athletics future looks bright.
“We want to instill a positive attitude and show them that they can make a difference in their lives, in their communities, and even globally,” Korir added.
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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