Destiny Barnette-Smith, Liberia’s fast-rising 100 metres sprinter, is no stranger to surprises — her life’s biggest turning points have often come from spontaneous decisions.
This Saturday, as the Sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic explodes onto the track at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex, Destiny will stand at the starting blocks not just as an athlete, but as a testament to bold choices, grit, and Pan-African pride.
Raised under the sunny skies of California, Destiny never set out to become a sprinter.
“I actually stumbled into track,” she recalls, laughing.
“A middle school friend of mine said she was heading to practice, and I just hopped in the car with her and her grandma. That’s how it all started.”
But the road from that casual ride to elite sprinting was anything but linear.
After a promising start, Destiny left track for martial arts, mastering Taekwondo and American Kickboxing — before track called her back in high school.
Torn between two sport she loved, it was time for a career-defining decision. “When I realized I had a real shot at going to college through sport, I had to pick one, and I chose track and field.”
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥.
Making her debut on Kenyan tracks, Destiny is soaking in every moment.
“It’s my first time in Kenya, and I absolutely love it,” she says, glowing with excitement.
“The people are welcoming, the weather is perfect — not like the 100-degree desert heat back home in Nevada — and the food? Let’s just say, me and the lamb have a date right after the race!”
Destiny, who already boasts a blazing personal best of 10.98 seconds in the 100m, is eyeing another breakthrough in Nairobi.
“This track has a fast reputation, and I hear it’s at altitude, I didn’t even know that,” she admits, smiling. “But hey, maybe that’s a good thing. I’ve changed a lot this season, my weight program, my diet, my circle — all so I can be in the best shape to run faster.”
While her name might not have been on the original start list, Destiny was a last-minute replacement for Mujinga Kambudji, a switch she took in stride.
“It doesn’t matter when or how. If the lane is there, it’s mine. You stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” Adding an exciting layer of narrative to the women’s 100m showdown is Destiny’s competitor — Maia McCoy, another U.S. based sprinter of Liberian descent.
The race will be more than just a sprint, it will be a celebration of Liberian pride, talent, and diaspora strength converging on African soil.
Representing Liberia while living and training in the U.S., Destiny embraces her African roots with pride.
“I love running for Africa. It connects me to something greater than myself. I’ve competed in Ghana, Cameroon, and now Kenya. This continent is rich in athletic fire, and I’m honored to be part of that story.”
Loyal to Sprinting Identity
While fans might expect her to drift into the 200m, Destiny is staying loyal to her sprinting identity.
“I’m a 100m girl through and through. That’s my zone. I feel stronger at 200m, sure, but my heart is in the short dash.”
Off the track, she’s just as energetic, an avid fan of college American football and hockey, she surprises many with her love for rough-and-tumble sports.
“I don’t know why, but I love aggressive, fast-paced games. Maybe it’s the adrenaline,” she muses.
Her current focus? Qualifying for the World Athletics Championships, not just individually but also by helping form Liberia’s first women’s 4x100m relay team.
“Diamond Leagues are great, but right now, history is calling. I want to take a team to the World Championships , that’s the goal.”
As the Absa Kip Keino Classic readies for action, Destiny Barnette Smith brings more than speed to the track, she brings a fire born of fearless decisions, global experience, and a deep-rooted belief in what Africa’s daughters can achieve.
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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