Ferdinand Omanyala Breaks Silence on the Main Factor Behind His Return to Former Coach Duncan Ayiemba

Ferdinand Omanyala has shed more light on why he decided to go back to his former coach, Duncan Ayiemba, after his contract with Geoffrey Kimani expired.

Ferdinand Omanyala's journey to becoming Africa's fastest man was closely tied to Duncan Ayiemba, the long-time mentor who guided him from his formative sprinting years to achieving the African 100m record of 9.77 seconds in 2021.

Duncan Ayiemba was credited with understanding Ferdinand Omanyala’s biomechanics and seeing his potential.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

However, following a period of inconsistent performance and a disappointing outing at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Ferdinand Omanyala sought a change.

This led to a bold switch in late 2023, enlisting the services of renowned strength and conditioning coach Geoffrey Kimani. The partnership was contractual and intended to last through the 2025 World Championships.

Despite a few strong performances, the results under Geoffrey Kimani did not consistently meet expectations, with Ferdinand Omanyala failing to break the 10-second barrier consistently during the 2025 season.

Ferdinand Omanyala's management and sponsors decided to part ways with Geoffrey Kimani. In a significant twist, Ferdinand Omanyala announced his decision to reunite with Duncan Ayiemba for the 2026 season.

Ferdinand Omanyala explained in an interview with Kenya Sports that he and his team opted for a different direction once his agreement with Geoffrey Kimani came to an end.

He believes coach Duncan Ayiemba offers insight he feels Geoffrey Kimani lacks. Ferdinand Omanyala added that although he chose to reunite with Duncan Ayiemba, he still values Geoffrey Kimani’s contribution.

Africa’s fastest man also looked back fondly on their two years together, noting that such transitions are part of athletics and sport in general.

“We made a change. I operate with a large team, and when my contract with Coach Kim ended, we decided to change because we thought Dun knew something that we were missing,” Ferdinand Omanyala said.

“That’s why we decided to go back and work with Dun. Above all, Kim was a good coach and we had a great time together. That is the nature of athletics and any other sport but I appreciate what we achieved throughout the two seasons.”

Ferdinand Omanyala noted that the upcoming Commonwealth Games remain a clear target and recalled telling himself at the start of the season that he intended to retain the title, especially since no athlete had secured it twice.

He added that the newly introduced World Athletics Ultimate Championships are his primary focus, as he hopes to make history by leaving a mark on the first edition.

Ferdinand Omanyala also mentioned that he is aiming for success in the Diamond League and indoors, acknowledging that missing the indoor season in 2025 was quite a setback.

“Of course, the Commonwealth Games are on site, and when we started this season, I told myself that we have to defend it. I don’t think there is anyone who has won it twice, so that’s what we are going for,” Ferdinand Omanyala added.

“However, the Ultimate Championships are our main goal, and we want to put our name on that stone, on the first-ever championship, be part of it and get something out of it too. We are targeting the Diamond League and indoor, and I know skipping the indoor tour was a dent, so next year we shall do the indoors.”

With his trusted coach back in his corner and a renewed sense of purpose, Ferdinand Omanyala is positioning himself for a major resurgence in 2026.

His decision to return to Duncan Ayiemba marks both a homecoming and a strategic reset, as he sets his sights on rewriting history at the Commonwealth Games and making a powerful statement on the global stage.