Kenyan cyclist Dinah Safari is determined to turn home advantage into a memorable medal-winning performance when the 2026 Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Road Cycling African Championships get underway in Kisumu on Wednesday.
With 32 nations set to compete at the five day championships and 304 riders, Safari, who endured disappointing outings in her previous two appearances at the continental championships, Safari is approaching this year’s competition with renewed determination and confidence as she seeks to challenge Africa’s finest riders.
“I didn’t perform well in my last two appearances at the African Championships, but this time I am looking for something good,” Safari said.
“A medal, and being on the podium, is all I want.”
With Kenya hosting the continental championships for the third consecutive time, local riders will be eager to capitalise on familiar roads and weather conditions to deliver strong performances in front of home supporters.
Safari said she was well prepared for the challenge and would compete in three events: the Individual Time Trial (ITT) on Wednesday, the mixed relay on Thursday and the women’s elite 122.2km road race on Saturday.
“This time I am very well prepared and ready for the challenge. I will do the ITT, the relay time trial and also the road race,” she said.
The demanding schedule has required a balanced training programme combining endurance rides, recovery and strength work to ensure she remains competitive throughout the championships.
Safari said her training sessions vary in distance, with some covering 90km or 120km, while shorter rides of about 30km are also part of her programme.
“I also have rest days because our bodies need to rest and be ready for the challenge so that I can go into races strong,” she said.
Beyond endurance training, the Kenyan has incorporated gym sessions to strengthen both her upper and lower body in preparation for the demanding races.
“I do gym work because you also need your upper body to be strong as well as the lower body,” she added.
Safari has also placed emphasis on mental and emotional preparation, saying she is confident that her overall readiness will help her deliver when it matters most.
“I have prepared myself mentally, physically and emotionally. I know I am ready and I feel confident,” she said.
“All I want to do is get a medal for my country.”
The cyclist believes her preparations in hot conditions will also give her an advantage in Kisumu, where high temperatures and humidity are expected to test competitors.
Safari said she had often trained in the afternoon and evening to acclimatise to the heat, while spending time racing in Mombasa to further prepare for the conditions.
“Kisumu is very hot, so mostly I used to train in the afternoon and evening. I know that will help me cope with the temperature,” she said.
“I have been racing in Mombasa, which is the hottest place I have raced. The pressure when you are racing is very high, which makes it tough.”
She added that she expected the conditions in Kisumu to be more manageable following her experience in the coastal city.
“Kisumu is much better than there, so I know it will be good,” she said.
Beyond her individual ambitions, Safari believes teamwork will be crucial as Kenya seeks to challenge the continent’s leading cycling nations.
She said the national team had prepared well and that collective effort would be essential, particularly in events where cooperation and tactical discipline can influence the outcome.
“As Team Kenya, we have prepared ourselves well. I believe cycling is not only an individual event; you can’t make it alone,” she said.
“That is why we are here to represent Kenya as a team. One person’s win is our whole win.”
Safari is also banking on familiarity with the local environment, noting that Kenya’s experience hosting the championships in previous years should help the riders make the most of home advantage.
“This is the third time the championships will be in Kenya. These are roads we are used to, and the air and humidity we are used to,” she added.
With the championships beginning on Wednesday, Safari will be hoping her preparation, confidence and team spirit translate into a podium finish and a memorable performance for the home crowd.