Oketch, Tinega to lead Kenya at World Athletics Indoor

National indoor record holders Mercy Oketch and Brian Tinega are poised to make their debuts at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships, scheduled for March 20–22 in Kujawy-Pomerania, Poland.

‎Oketch will spearhead the women’s sprint charge in the 400m, while Rosemary Longisa will line up in the women’s 800m.

‎Completing the women’s contingent is seasoned middle-distance runner Susan Lokayo Ejore, who will carry Kenya’s hopes in the 1500m.

‎A member of the Kenya Defence Forces, Oketch holds the Kenyan national record of 50.14 seconds in the 400m, set on May 31, 2025 during the Kip Keino Classic.

‎Her rapid progression continued last month when she became the first Kenyan woman to dip under the 52-second barrier in an indoor event, clocking 51.53 seconds at the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlélor in France.

‎She was also part of Team Kenya at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where she powered into the women’s 400m semifinals.

‎Longisa, 20, is a student at Washington State University and continues to rise steadily in the middle-distance ranks.

‎She currently sits as the third-fastest Kenyan woman in history over the indoor mile, behind American-based runners Ejore (4:20.61) and Dorcus Ewoi (4:22.39).

‎Ejore also brings experience to the squad, boasting a lifetime best of 3:56.07 in the 1500m, during her sixth place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympic final.

‎The Nakuru-born runner began her athletics journey at St. Gabriel’s Mission School before relocating to the United States for college.

‎Meanwhile. Tinega, 23, another athlete attached to the Kenya Defence Forces and currently studying at the University of Texas, will carry Kenya’s flag in the men’s 400m.

‎He boasts a personal best of 45.06 seconds and last month rewrote the Kenyan indoor record books after posting 45.68 for second place at the Big 12 Indoor meet in Texas.

‎Tinega has already donned the national colours on a global spectacle, having represented Kenya at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships as well as the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China.

‎Also named in the squad is promising 800m runner Noah Kibet, 21, who announced himself on the world stage by winning bronze at the 2021 World U-20 Championships before claiming silver at the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade.

‎Another experienced campaigner in the team is Nicholas Kipkorir Krop, 24, a silver medallist in the 5000m at the 2022 Eugene World Championships.

‎Krop, who owns a personal best of 12:45.71 over the distance, will be aiming to convert his pedigree into a podium finish on the indoor stage in Poland.

World Athletics allocated Kenya six slots for the global indoor showdown, a restricted quota influenced by the nation’s outing at the 2025 World Indoor Championships where the traditional distance-running powerhouse walked away without a solitary medal.

‎Team Kenya will be eager to bounce back when the three-day championship unfolds in Poland.

‎Kenya has long been a regular force at the World Indoor Championships.

‎Across the history of the competition, the nation has collected 42 medals (10 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze).