KENYA POST MIXED RESULTS: Men win big, while women teams play second fiddle in parliamentary games

Kenyan MP Wesly Korir lifts the button as he crosses the finish line in the men's 4x400m during the 7th edition of the east African Community Inter-Parliamentary games at the Mbaraki Sports Club, December 8th, 2016. Kenya won the event. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]. (R) Ugandan MP for Arua District Maureen Osoru celebrates in style after finishing the 4x400m last lap during the 7th edition of the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary games at the Mbaraki Sports Club, December 8th, 2016. PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Hosts Kenya did not have the kind of results they would have wished for during the one-week East Africa Inter-parliamentary Games that ended over the weekend in Mombasa.

While the men teams were successful in athletics, golf and volleyball, their women counterparts were below par and will have to do much as they plan for next year’s tournament.

In fact, no women team won gold medal in their disciplines during the event. This worked to the detriment of Kenya’s overall ranking as they relinquished the team title to perennial rivals, Uganda.

But it was not all gloom in men’s games. Some of them did the country proud with exemplary shows. Cherangany Member of Parliament Wesley Korir was named best overall performer in athletics with 36 points.

The former Boston Marathon champion won the 800m walk race, 1500m, 400m and 800m.

The Kenyan quartet of David Ochieng (Ugenya MP), Kanini Kega (Kieni), Korir (Cherangany) and Dan Wanyama (Webuye) were instrumental in the 4x100m relay victory.

They topped the charts after they won in 57.6 seconds, followed by Uganda (54.4) and Tanzania (60.6). Kenya also won men’s 4x400m relay.

After a fierce battle with Rwanda in a hotly contested volleyball final, Kenya won 2-0 to successfully retain the title they won last year.

Some notable players in the volleyball team included captain and Teso North MP Arthur Odera, Uasin Gishu Senator Isaac Melly and former Kenya international and Webuye, MP Dan Wanyama.

“This is a great team and we will continue to work hard to retain this trophy in other tournaments,” Odera said.