Omanyala ignites, Oketch delivers as Kenya warms up for World Relays

Racing at the Botswana National Stadium, the Kenyan quartet clocked an impressive 41.70 seconds, finishing just behind Nigeria, who won in 41.44. 

The performance not only secured a podium finish but also propelled Kenya into strong contention for qualification to the 2026 World Athletics Relays set for May 2–3 in Gaborone.

Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, set the tone with a blistering opening leg, handing over to a well-drilled unit that included Boniface Mweresa, Milicent Ndoro, and the 400M National Record holder Mercy Oketch, who anchored the race with authority.

Their seamless baton exchanges and explosive pace underlined a team rapidly finding its rhythm on the global stage.

The result carries significant weight in the “Road to Botswana” rankings, where Kenya has now surged to 13th place globally, displacing Spain in the process. 

With qualification slots limited, the team must hold onto this position until April 5 to officially secure a coveted spot at the World Relays.

Beyond the numbers, the race signaled a shift in Kenya’s sprinting narrative. Traditionally renowned for middle- and long-distance dominance, the country is increasingly flexing muscle in short relay events, with this mixed relay squad embodying a new era of speed and coordination.

The Lefika International Relays, served as a critical qualification platform, attracting top nations eager to sharpen their relay credentials.