- The Team Kenya at 2026 World Relays in Botswana will compete in 5 of the 6 disciplines.
- Leading the charge for Kenya is Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala.
Team Kenya officially launches its quest for global sprint recognition on Saturday May 2, taking to the track in five disciplines at the World Athletics Relays 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana.
Held for the first time on African soil, the stakes at the Botswana National Stadium couldn’t be higher. A top two finish in the heats secures an automatic ticket to the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
Leading the charge for Kenya is Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala who anchors a revitalized sprinting contingent. Kenya’s campaign begins at 15:05 EAT with the challenge of the Mixed 4x100m relay, where the squad has been handed Lane 4 in Heat 3.
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The team, featuring Mark Otieno, Millicent Ndoro, Diana Lilian Awako, Eunice Kadogo, Ronald Kiprono and Steve Odhiambo will face stiff competition from Canada, Nigeria and Italy in a race where precision in the exchange zone will be very vital.
Canada won the inaugural World Relays title in Guangzhou last year as Sade McCreath, Marie-Éloïse Leclair, Duan Asemota and Eliezer Adjibi combined to clock 40.30.
Nigeria already has experience of a mixed 4x100m win at Gaborone’s National Stadium as their team ran 41.44 to triumph ahead of Kenya at the Lefika International Relays at the end of March, when host nation Botswana finished fourth
Shortly after, at 15:30 EAT, the Mixed 4x400m team will line up in Lane 3. Represented by a versatile pool including Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui, Mercy Oketch, Hellen Syombua, Dennis Masika Mulongo, and George Mutinda Mutuku, the Kenyan middle-distance specialists will need to remain in striking distance during the first two legs before utilizing their endurance on the final stretch to fend off the United States.
At 16:30 EAT the country will line up for the Men’s 4x100m heats. Kenya finds itself in Lane 8, a challenging draw that requires the lead-off runner to maintain an aggressive pace without the benefit of chasing a staggered field.
With Jamaica and Canada also in the mix, the pressure is on the veterans to ensure a clean baton transition to exploit the smooth curve of the outside lane.
Kenya’s formidable 400m squads wrap up the day’s action. The Women’s 4x400m team occupies Lane 4 in Heat 1 at 16:55 EAT, a favorable central position to track the Netherlands.
Finally, the Men’s 4x400m team faces a Group of Death scenario at 17:30 EAT in Lane 6, sandwiched between the hosts and favorites, Botswana, and a powerful South African team.
Should any team fail to secure a top-two spot today, they will have a second chance in tomorrow’s repechage rounds. However, for a nation looking to prove its versatility beyond the marathon and long distance races ,the goal is to get the job done in Round 1.
Team Kenya at 2026 World Relays in Botswana Day 1 schedule
- 15:05 EAT: Mixed 4x100m Relay
- 15:30 EAT: Mixed 4x400m Relay
- 16:30 EAT: Men’s 4x100m Relay
- 16:55 EAT: Women’s 4x400m Relay
- 17:30 EAT: Men’s 4x400m Relay