Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has hailed the 2025 CAC Road Cycling African Championships held in Kwale County as a game-changer not only for sports, but for Kenya’s broader economic future.
The continental showdown wrapped up on Sunday afternoon after four action-packed days of high-octane racing in the Coastal region.
More than 300 athletes from 31 countries converged on Kwale, all chasing continental glory on a stage that delivered intensity, drama and world-class performances.
The standout nations were South Africa and Eritrea, each bagging four gold medals to underline their strength on the African cycling circuit.
Eritrea’s biggest haul came on the final day of competition (Sunday), where Natan Tesfalem stormed to victory in the junior men’s 107.6km race, before Merhawi Kudus and Awet Aman sealed the elite men’s and U-23 men’s 163.8km titles, respectively.
The CS emphasized that the championship has been a transformative moment for both Kwale County and the country at large.
“This has been a game changer not just for sports but the entire economic system,” he said.
“It was a very successful championship that brought together different stakeholders and organisations,” Mvurya added.
He also lauded the remarkable participation witnessed during the 19th edition of the continental showpiece.
“We have now come to the end of the CAC. It’s been a great success in terms of organization and participation.
“We had 31 countries and 316 participants.”
Mvurya noted that the ministry is committed to ensuring more counties are given the platform to stage top-class events as part of a wider effort to scout and nurture talent nationwide.
“We are looking forward to giving different regions of the country the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“This time we organized the CAC here; last year it was in Eldoret, bringing together the three counties of the North Rift,” he said.
“As ministry and government, we want to give opportunities to every region, every discipline, and move to do scouting of talent from the grassroots.”
He further reiterated the ministry’s determination to elevate all sporting disciplines across the country.
“The other disciplines which have not been visible, we will make them visible. We are on the road to inspire more sport discipline.
“The President has put in a deliberate effort that we invest in sporting infrastructure,” he noted.