NAIROBI: Asbel Kiprop's breathtaking dash to the finish line to clinch gold in the 1,500m summed up the joys of a nation on top of the world.
Kenyan athletes at the 2015 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing have done the country proud after winning seven gold, six silver and three bronze medals at the final tally. It is the first time Kenya is ranked the top country, beating giants Jamaica, USA, Britain and China.
No doubt, Kenya is a powerhouse in athletics. Not only have the athletes provided a welcome relief from the drab political scene; the cheers, the encouragement, the support, the unity and the Kenyan spirit that our athletes evoked in us shows what we can be.
Those athletes are the best brand ambassadors of Kenya and deserve commendation and accolades. It would be fitting for leaders to reflect and put aside their sense of self-importance and penchant for sectarianism and divisionism and for once, give way for a renewed sense of patriotism, unity and national pride.
They could, for example, roll out the red carpet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to welcome and decorate the country's best sons and daughters. That will send the signal that we stand together in the best of times no matter the party affiliation.
The results from Beijing will surprise many. Kenya won in races least considered by many. For the longest time now, Kenya has shown its dominance in the middle and long distance races with the only serious challenge coming from the Ethiopians up North.
Julius Yego, fondly known as the YouTube man, threw the javelin 92.72m, bettering his Olympics record and drawing closer to the reigning world record of 104.80 metres set in 1984 by Uwe Hohn of Germany. He is testimony that other than skill and experience, dedication and focus brings results.
This magnificent show is in itself a challenge to our athletics trainers to scout for more talented youth to represent Kenya in other events and races that have hitherto been patronised by American, European and Nigerian athletes like the short races.
Our runners ran with a grace and effortlessness that belies the hard work and effort they put in preparation.
In many ways, athletics is all about the triumph of the individual. It takes self-discipline, determination and focus to keep to the training routine; it takes personal sacrifice to train hard, consistently, alone, sometimes in rough terrain and harsh weather.
And like in the case of Mr Yego, training using YouTube videos as a personal coach and taking the crown is no mean achievement. The triumph also demonstrates what is possible with effective deployment of technology.
The winning ways in Beijing speak to the hearts of many. We have what it takes to beat the best in the world, not just in sports in many other fields. Probably all we lack is leadership to tap into the talents. Kenyans stand head-and-shoulders above others in the world of academics, finance, diplomacy, management, engineering and medicine. Why then do we seem to be the perennial underachievers punching below our weight in weighty matters?
Leaders must ponder hard and long. It will take a great leader to assemble the stars in us into a galaxy of success. Unfortunately, few of the leaders have the will for that.
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