The Kip Keino Classic organisers have confirmed that Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala and national 400m outdoor and indoor record holder Mercy Oketch will spearhead the local charge at the seventh edition of the April 24 spectacle.

Omanyala has grown into one of the meet’s marquee attractions since its inception, consistently drawing electric crowds while using the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting as a launchpad onto the global sprinting stage.

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Meet director Barnaba Korir revealed that the sprints king and 400m queen will headline the Kenyan contingent at this year’s showdown at Nyayo Stadium, scheduled from 4 pm to 9 pm, a first for the event. “One of our own, Ferdinand Omanyala, has already confirmed his participation,” Korir said. “We also have Mercy Oketch, the 400m winner, who will be there as well.”

Omanyala, the 2022 Commonwealth Games champion, announced himself at the Kip Keino Classic in 2021 when he blazed to second place in 9.77 seconds, which stands as the current African record. American speedster Trayvon Bromell won the race in 9.76.

He returned with authority in 2022, powering to victory in 9.85 ahead of American duo Fred Kerley (9.92) and Isiah Young (10.13), before successfully defending his crown in 2023 with a commanding 9.84, fending off Kenneth Bednarek (9.98) and Marvin Bracy-Williams (10.03). However, the last two editions have tested the Kenyan sprint ace.

He finished fifth in 2024 in 10.03, with Bednarek taking top honours in 9.91, before settling for third place last year in 10.07 behind Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy (9.98) and South African wonder kid Bayanda Walaza (10.03).

Meanwhile, Oketch has quietly built her own legacy in the one-lap event at the meet. She made a statement on debut in 2023, storming to victory in 52.42 ahead of Malawi’s Asimenye Simwaka (52.78) and Mercy Chebet (53.35).

She missed the 2024 edition but returned emphatically in 2025, reclaiming her crown and rewriting the national record books with a scintillating 50.14 performance. Uganda’s Leni Shida clocked 50.93 for second, while Chebet once again completed the podium in 51.52.

Korir further disclosed that a wave of international stars is lining up for this year’s edition, underlining the meet’s growing global pull. “There are some top global athletes who will also be coming this time round. We have received requests from various athletes all the way from Australia who want to come and run here,” he said.

Sprinters are expected to dominate the entry lists as they fine-tune for the upcoming World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana. “Basically, the sprinters, because they are heading to Gaborone, will pass here before heading to the World Relays,” Korir noted.

He added that organisers will continue to unveil more big names in the build-up to the meet. “We will keep on releasing information concerning those who will be participating.”

Beyond the track, fans can expect a full-throttle stadium experience, with organisers blending elite athletics with top-tier entertainment. “We will also have some entertainment, combining it with sports. It’s going to be good, so we call on Kenyans to come out and be part of this event,” Korir said.