Ferdinand Omanyala in a previous race/ FILE

Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, leads Kenya’s charge this weekend at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix in Ethiopia, as he continues his early-season build-up in the 100m ahead of a key international campaign.

Omanyala arrives in strong form after winning the 100m at the Cape Milers World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meet in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where he clocked 10.19 seconds.
His progression this season has also included indoor appearances in the 60m, highlighted by runs of 6.86 in Miramas and 6.66 at the Russian LFK CSKA meeting, alongside relay outings where he helped Kenya secure silver in both the men’s and mixed 4x100m events at the Lefika International Relays in Botswana.
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In Addis Ababa, Omanyala will face former national record holder Mark Otieno and Samuel Chege in the men’s 100m, as he sharpens his form ahead of next week’s Kip Keino Classic.
Kenya’s sprint presence extends into the 200m, where Otieno and Chege return alongside national champion Zablon Ekwam, adding depth to the short sprint programme.
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Beyond the sprints, Kenya fields competitors across middle and long-distance events. Mercy Chebet leads the women’s 400m entry, while Ferguson Rotich carries experience in the men’s 800m.
In the women’s 1,500m, Vivian Cherotich represents Kenya, with Diana Chepkemoi and Cynthia Chepkurui in the women’s 5,000m and Edwin Elkana leading the men’s race.
Kenya’s steeplechase challenge will be fronted by Joice Chepkurui, Mercy Chepng’eno, and Antasha Cheptoo Langat, as the country continues to lean on its traditional strength in the discipline.
The Addis Ababa meet serves as a key early-season test for Omanyala and a broader gauge of Kenya’s form across sprints, middle distance, and endurance events.