World 800m champion Mary Moraa will lead Kenyans at the 2024 Africa Games that starts later this month in Accra, Ghana.
The 800m runner will be competing in the 400m after winning in the category during today’s trials at the Nyayo National stadium when she clocked 51.25 for the title followed by Jackline Nanjala (53.40) and Maureen Nyatichi (53.430).
Also in the mix is the World 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Beatrice Chepkoech, who won the 5,000m in 15:29.69 leading Mary Mananu (15:45.45) and Sandrafelis Chebet (16:01.330).
In men’s 100m, Hesborn Ochieng ran a personal best of 10.22 secs to book a ticket for the African Games. KDF’s Steven Onyango came second in 10.35 while Meshack Babu (10.36) was third.
Esther Mbagari showed that her prowess in the women’s 100m is still unrivaled after clocking 11.63 in the final. Eunice Kadogo (11.80 secs) and Doreen Waka (11.88) trailed her in second and third positions.
Mbagari said she would be eyeing to run a sub-11 seconds in Accra. “I am glad to have qualified for the African games. I expect to run my best time there,” she stated.
Dismus Lokira of KDF ran a convincing 28:36.77 to win the men’s 10,000m. Francis Abong (28:38.96) and Evans Keitan (28:41.42) completed the podium. “Getting into team Kenya is hard. I am glad I was able to secure a spot. My target in Ghana is to get a gold medal,” Lokira said.
Rukia Nusra clocked 14.17 to win the women’s 100m hurdles ahead of Gladys Muthoni (14.97) and Veronica Chebet (14.98).
African record holder in the men’s javelin, Julius Yego, won the men’s event after throwing a distance of 77.81m. Alex Kiprotich placed second with a distance of 75.37m with Methusella Kiprop clearing 72.72m.
Team Kenya:
Women 100m Esther Mbagari, Eunice Kadogo
Men 100m: Hesborn Ochieng, Steve Onyango
Women 100m-H Rukia Nusra
110m-H men: Wiseman Were
200m Women: Millicent Ndoro
200m men: Samuel Chege, Dan Kiviasi
400m women: Mary Moraa,
400m Men: Kennedy Kimeu, David Sanayek
400m-H women: Venice Kerubo, Rahab Wanjiru
400m-H men: Kipkorir Rotich, Nicholas Kiblimo
800m Women: Vivian Chebet, Lilian Odira
800m men: Kipngetich Ngeno, Aaron Kemei
1500m women: Mary Ekiru, Lydia Cheruto
1500m men: Brian Komen, Abel Kipsang
3000m SC women: Caren Chebet, Purity Cherotich
3000m SC men: Amos Serem, Simon Koech, Edmond Serem
5000m women: Beatrice Chepkoech, Mary Manalu
5000m men: Cornelius Kemboi
10000m women: Janet Chepngetich
10000m men: Francis Abong, Evans Keitani
Decathlon: Edwin Kemutai
20km walk men: Samuel Gathimba, Dominic Ndigiti
20km walk women: Emily Ngii, Sylvia Kemboi
High jump women: Zeddy Jesire
High jump men: Asbel Kemboi
Triple Jump men: Isaac Kirwa
Men javelin: Julius Yego
Women Javelin: Lalam Joyce
Officials: Jackson Kemoi (team manager), Steven Etyang (co-ordinator), Elkana Nyangau (head coach), Eunice Sang (safeguarding officer), Hellen Chepkoech (chaperone).