Ferdinand Omanyala is a Kenyan athlete who enjoys the privilege of being recognised as Africa’s fastest man and the 9th fastest man of all time.
In August, Ferdinand Omanyala claimed Kenya’s first 100m gold medal in 60 years at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
This year, Africa’s fastest man made his Olympic debut in Paris. Although he didn’t win a medal, his efforts to elevate Kenya in a discipline the country rarely excels in are commendable.
2023 was quite the year for Kelvin Kiptum.
The 23-year-old marathoner became the first man to break the 2:01:09 record held by Eliud Kipchoge after winning the Chicago Marathon in October after setting a time of 2:00:35.
Kiptum’s achievement meant that he eclipsed Kipchoge as the world’s best marathoner.
However, Kiptum is not done and has trained his efforts to hoist Kenya’s flag even higher in future competitions.
Hellen Onsando Obiri is a middle and long-distance athlete.
She is one of the most decorated Kenyan female athletes, having won the New York City Marathon in November 2023.
The win was her second following another triumph at the Boston Marathon where she clocked 2:21:38.
Obiri made history yet again when she won the Boston Marathon for the second time in a row this year, clocking a record time of 2:22:37.
Born in 2004, Emmanuel Wanyonyi is one of the fastest-rising athletes in the country.
Wanyonyi who specializes in 800 metre races introduced himself to the world in 2021 after he won a gold medal in World Under-20 Championships, setting a championship record in the process.
In 2022, he faltered finishing fourth at the World Athletics Championships.
Described in the world of athletics as the greatest marathoner of all time, Kipchoge has won in all race categories he has participated in.
When he won the Berlin Marathon on September 24, Kipchoge set history by becoming the first athlete to win the marathon five times.
He had previously won the 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 editions.
There are very few prominent professionals in Kenya who have had a seamless switch of careers like Dennis Ombachi.
Popularly known as the Roaming Chef, Ombachi is a former Kenya 7s rugby player who is now a self-taught internet chef and arguably the biggest food content creator in the country.
Ombachi rose to fame between 2019 and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic era as he went house to house offering culinary services and that is how he acquired the title 'roaming chef'.
Aldrine Kibet is an 18-year-old footballer whose career took off last year.
This year, the young footballer’s career reached a significant milestone in June when he was selected to represent Kenya’s U23 team at the COSAFA Cup tournament in South Africa. Kenya won two matches in the tournament.
In January 2024, Kibet made his debut for Kenya's national U20 squad. His outstanding performance at the tournament in Malawi showcased his talent on the international stage.
Faith Kipyegon is a three-time world record holder who is poised to become one of the best female athletes of all time.
Kipyegon is renowned for her prowess in the 1,500-metre category. She, however, set an unprecedented 2023 season by breaking three world records within months.
On June 2, 2023, Kipyegon set a new world record in the 1,500-metre category by clocking 3:49:11 in the Florence Diamond League.
Sharon Lokedi is a Kenyan long-distance runner who takes part in road races.
Lokedi is the 2022 winner of the TSC New York Marathon Race where she finished with a time of 2:23:23.
Prior to the race, the Kenyan athlete did not have any sponsors however, famous sportswear brand Under Armor came to her aid.
According to her coach Stephen Haas, the shoe brand came through for the athlete at a time when she needed competitive footwear for major marathons and races.
Lokedi won the New York Marathon wearing the yet-released 324 Under Armour Velociti Elite shoes.
Evans Chebet is a Kenyan long-distance runner who has taken part in various major marathons.
Chebet is both the 2022 Boston and TSC New York Marathon winners.
On April 18, 2022, Chebet won the Boston Marathon in the USA with a time of 2:06:51.
His New York marathon win saw him break down in tears after crossing the finishing line with a time of 2:08:41.
With the wins in Boston and New York, he becomes the first man to win at both marathon events in the same year since 2011.