Africa’s 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala on Saturday treated fans, who included President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, to a spectacular run at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.

Omanyala bagged the 100m race in 9.85 seconds to beat USA’s Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley (9.92), Isaiah Young (10.13) of USA, South Africa’s Brunt Jese Hendricho (10.13) and Liberia’s Matidi Emmanuel (10.14).

Uhuru Kenyatta and Ferdinand Omanyala. PHOTO/STATE HOUSE

The stadium bust into thunderous cheers and celebration as Uhuru and Raila led Kenyan fans in jumping up and down to celebrate the win by the Kenyan magical sprint sensation.

“I am happy for the win. I had planned well and was really certain to carry the day. I now prepare for the World Championships,” said Omanyala on his historic finish.

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On her part, three-time Olympic champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce clocked a world beater of 10.67 to take home the women's 100m, followed by Egyptian Bassant Hemida in 11.02 and American Shannon Ray third in 11.33.

Pryce, whose win attracted wild cheers from Kenyan fans who had filled the stadium, dedicated her victory to Kenyans who have longer to see her in action in the country.

Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce. PHOTO/STATE HOUSE

She said, "It is good to win this race because, basically, the Kenyan fans have been asking for me to come and run here. The way they were cheering wildly for me really motivated me to run a good race."

Abraham Kibiwott emerged victor in the Steeplechase with 8:21.92 to beat Ethiopia’s Samuel Dugina Bariso to second place in 8:27.40 and Olympic bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen to third place in 8:30.28.

The Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist’s win was a relief coming a year after Moroccan Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali kicked Kenyans off the top spot.


Former African champion Norah Jeruto (now a Kazakhstan national) won the women’s steeplechase in 9:40.95 to beat Kenya’s Faith Cherotich (9:12.04) and Uganda’s Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai (9:20.07).

In the 10,000m race, Julius Kipkwony cruised easily to the finish line in 28:28.34 to beat Wesley Kimutai who clocked 28:32.09 and Abraham Longosiwa to third place in 28:35.01.

In the 400m men's 400m race, Ryan William took the top spot with a fantastic finish in 45:51 to beat Collins Omae who clocked 46:03 and Kelvin Tauta who closed the podium in 46.07.


Africa junior 5,000m silver medalist Jacob Krop beat top Kenyan athletes including national champion Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, former world Under-20 5,000m champion Edward Zakayo to clinch the 5,000m race in 13:12.19.

His finish consigned Istanbul half marathon silver medalist Daniel Meteiko to second place in 13:13.45 and Simiyu to third place in 13:14.51 to close the podium.


The Olympic Games 5,000m finalist indicated that he would now set his eyes on taking part in the Monaco Diamond league to prepare for the 2022 World Championships.