Top Sprints Coach Predicts Landmark Moment for Kenyan Sprinters in Tokyo

National sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki has made a bold declaration that could redefine Kenya’s reputation on the global athletics stage.

According to Mwaniki, Kenya is poised to send its largest-ever sprint squad—up to 24 athletes—to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

The surge is being driven by a series of remarkable performances that have seen Kenyan sprinters shatter qualifying standards across multiple events.

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Leading the charge is Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, who became the first Kenyan sprinter to secure his Tokyo ticket after clocking a blistering 9.88 seconds in the 100m at the Silesia Diamond League on August 25 last year—well under the 10-second benchmark.

Olympian Wiseman Were soon followed, smashing the 400m hurdles qualifying mark of 48.50 at the Kip Keino Classic on May 31 when he stormed to victory in 48.34 seconds.

On the same day, national 400m record holder Mercy Oketch confirmed her place on the plane to Tokyo with a commanding 50.14-second run—comfortably inside the women’s qualifying time of 50.75 seconds.

“Our relay teams have already punched their tickets to Tokyo. That gives us around 18 sprinters across the three events, with an estimated six athletes per relay squad,” Mwaniki explained in an interview with The Star.

The breakthroughs did not stop with the individual stars. At the Athletics Kenya National Championships held on June 27, the men’s 400m was lit up by a trio of spectacular runs.

George Mutinda led the charge with 44.51 seconds, followed closely by Brian Tinega (44.67) and Kelvin Kipkorir (44.80), all dipping under the 44.85 qualifying threshold and securing their spots in Tokyo.

Adding to the growing contingent, Kenya’s men’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and the mixed 4x400m relay teams have all qualified, creating an unprecedented depth in sprint events.

“Add to that those who've qualified individually and we're looking at a potentially historic sprint squad of around 24 athletes. The biggest the country has ever fielded at such a championship,” Mwaniki said.

Mwaniki believes the number could climb even higher before the qualification window closes on August 24.

“We still have time for more athletes to make the cut. Some are within striking range and the upcoming World Championship trials in August could provide that final springboard,” he noted.

“If they can get competitive races abroad before then, the chances get even better.”

Among those tantalizingly close to securing their berths are Zablon Ekwam and Dennis Mwai in the 200m, who are currently ranked 74th and 148th globally.

In the men’s 400m, Boniface Mweresa holds the 100th spot, while Damaris Mutunga is placed 98th in the women’s category.

Mwaniki credits the record-breaking progress to a shift in preparation timelines and renewed investment in athletics.

“We started our build-up very early in November last year, courtesy of the Betika BingwaFest. In normal seasons, we start our build-up in February or March,” he said.

“The BingwaFest has helped our athletes, and more corporations need to invest in such kind of initiatives to help our athletes.”

“With more of our athletes now meeting the World Championship standards, it’s clear Kenya has joined the sprint conversation in Africa,” he emphasised.

“Nigeria, South Africa and Botswana have been the sprint giants, but Kenya is now in that mix.”

Looking ahead, Mwaniki views the Tokyo championship as just the beginning.

“We are not just aiming for Tokyo, this is a long-term project. The goal is to build a formidable sprint force for the future,” he said, pointing to the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the next milestones in Kenya’s sprint revolution.