The 2025 National Athletics Championships took place from June 25 to 27 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, bringing together 22 teams from across Kenya and beyond.
Despite disruptions caused by the nationwide Maandamano (demonstrations) which pushed the trials start date from the 25th to the 26th, athletes showed up with strength, resilience, and pride.
The atmosphere was blissful
Participating teams included Nairobi, Central, Eastern, Southern, Coast, North Eastern, Nyanza South, Nyanza North, Western, Central Rift, South Rift, North Rift, Universities, KDF, Prisons, Police, KATTI, KWS, KFS, NYS, South Sudan, Refugees
This year’s event also made positive strides in athlete welfare.
Through partnerships with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Betika, and Coca-Cola, Athletics Kenya ensured that athletes received accommodation, meals, and transportation allowances.
It was a much-needed boost, a proof that when stakeholders collaborate, the athlete experience improves significantly.
But as we celebrate the brilliance on the track, we must confront a deeper truth: Kenya’s athletics is at risk without structured grassroots support, especially through training camps.
Most of our athletes come from humble rural backgrounds. For them, just reaching the trial venue is a major challenge. With no transport, accommodation, meals, or mentorship, many never even get the chance to compete. Their talent fades away before it’s ever seen on track.
Only about 10 percent have formal management
These are the fortunate few supported with logistics, travel, and exposure. The rest, despite having equal or even greater potential, are often left behind.
But we’ve seen what happens when someone believes:
Faith Kipyegon, discovered by grassroots coach Charles Ngeno, was supported by Global Communications Management, who even paid her high school fees.
She completed her education at Winners School in Keringet, a school built in partnership with Global Communications and a Dutch NGO that donated the school to the community.
Sadly, it was later closed due to mismanagement highlighting how even the best intentions can fail without proper governance.
Beatrice Chebet came through Lemotit Camp under Coach Paul Kemei, with support from Rosa Associate Management.
She was given structure, exposure, and consistency.
Today, her name is known globally.
These stories prove one thing: Every athlete just needs a platform, a little support, and someone to believe in them. The rest becomes history.
Turning Point: Role of Sports Registrar
The recent government allocation of Sh2 billion to the sports sector, announced during the June 14 national budget, marks a pivotal opportunity to reshape the future of sports in Kenya.
A portion of this funding will go toward strengthening institutions like the Office of the Sports Registrar, a body whose role is often overlooked but absolutely crucial.
Established under the Sports Act of 2013, the Sports Registrar is mandated to:
- License sports professionals, including coaches, officials, and athletes
- official records of all registered entities and licensed personnel
- Arbitrate disputes related to sports registration and compliance
- Oversee fair elections within sports organizations
- Educate stakeholders on governance, legal structures, and compliance with the Sports Act
- This is not just a technical office—it is foundational.
The Registrar’s work sets the tone for how sports are governed, managed, and protected in Kenya.
Strengthening this institution means unlocking structured growth from the grassroots up. It means every athlete, coach, and club operates within a system that values order, transparency, and opportunity.
Reinvesting in the future
We strongly urge that all major marathons in Kenya be affiliated with registered athletic clubs.
The profits from these races must be reinvested into athlete development: coaching, feeding, training camps, and daily operations. Let our races not just celebrate champions, let them create them. Because raw talent is not enough. It needs guidance, leadership, and structure.
If Kenya wants to remain a global athletics powerhouse, we must invest in the journey not just the finish line.
Brigid Chebet Ngeno is a sports scientist with a strong background in athletics from primary through high school. She is passionate about athlete education, sports scholarships, grassroots empowerment, branding, advocacy, and fighting gender-based violence. Her mission is to ensure every athlete has the opportunity to thrive both on and off the track.
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