Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today

Ferdinand Omanyala after his win at the Kip Keino Classic/ HANDOUT

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala is set to spearhead the Kenyan men’s 4x100m squad against global heavyweights Jamaica and the United States at the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, today.

Omanyala is in a team that has national 100m champion Meshack Babu, Samuel Chege and rising stars Dennis Mwai, Elkana Sabila and Moses Wasike.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games champion is in the form of his life and will no doubt be the driving force behind Kenya’s ambitions.

Omanyala has dipped under the 10-second barrier three times this season, clocking 9.98 in Addis Ababa, 9.96 at the Kip Keino Classic and 9.95 at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix.

The Kenyans are buoyed by an early marker at the Lefika International Relays in March, where the quartet of Omanyala, Boniface Mweresa, Ronald Koech and Babu timed 39.12 to claim silver behind Nigeria (38.98).

However, Kenya have their work cut out against sprinting royalty, including Jamaica, who are led by 2024 World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Ackeem Blake.

Jamaica hold the men’s 4x100m world record of 36.84 seconds, set at the 2012 London Olympics by the iconic quartet of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt.

America, meanwhile, will look to Courtney Lindsey, who has become a crucial cog in their relay machine.

The Americans arrive as reigning world champions after striking gold at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where the quartet of Christian Coleman, Kenneth Bednarek, Lindsey and Noah Lyles blazed to a world-leading 37.29 seconds.

Another stern test for Kenya will come from South Africa, led by 2025 World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Akani Simbine.

South Africa enter the fray as defending World Relays champions after capturing the crown in Guangzhou, China, last year in 37.61 seconds.

Hosts Botswana are also expected to raise the roof on home soil and could prove dark horses in the showdown.

Apart from the men’s sprint relay, Kenya has also fielded teams in the men’s and women’s 4x400m, as well as the 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays.

The men’s 4x400m squad features Danson Kibet, Eric Kimathi, Erastus Mbaluka, Dennis Mulongo, Kipkorir Rotich and Joshua Wanyonyi.

In the women’s 4x400m event, national 100m hurdles champion Gladys Ngure will lead the charge alongside Lanoline Aoko, Purity Chepkoech, Anne Mbatha, Margaret Tajeu and Moureen Nanjala.

Kenya’s hopes in the 4x100m mixed relay will rest on Millicent Ndoro, Eunice Kadogo, Lilian Aoko, Steve Odhiambo, Mark Otieno and Ronald Koech.

The 4x400m mixed squad will feature Kevin Kipkorir, George Mutinda, Kelvin Tonui, Mercy Chebet, Hellen Syombua and national record holder Mercy Oketch.

Kenya will be eager to mount a stronger assault at the World Relays after a disappointing outing at the 2025 edition where the nation managed just one medal.

That solitary podium finish came courtesy of the mixed 4x400m quartet of David Sanayek, Mercy Chebet, Brian Tinega and Mercy Oketch, who clocked 3:13.10 for bronze.