Commonwealth 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala had promised sub-10 seconds, and he delivered just that at the thrilling grand finale of the National Athletics Championships in Nairobi on Saturday.
It was time for the country's big shots to impress, 13 days to another electrifying action on July 7 and 8 - when Kenya's national trials for the 2023 Budapest World Championships will take place, also in Nairobi.
Yesterday, top athletes literally set their respective fields ablaze as they battled for track and field honours at the Nyayo Stadium.
Omanyala, Africa's fastest 100m sprinter and representing Kenya Police blasted 9.96 seconds in the final as Meshack Babu of Kenya Defense Forces (10.50) and Hesbon Ochieng (10.58) of Prisons came in second and third in the 100m dash.
"It was a good day for me and my sub-10 target has been achieved. This shows that my body is in good shape and is responding well," Omanyala said after the win.
He maintained that his sights were set on the 2023 World Championships scheduled for August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Omanyala said he would also use the Diamond League series in his medal target at the August global showpiece.
"My next diamond league stop is Monaco. It is my hope that I will be in good shape at the Diamond League event. I am going to take a few days' rest before returning to the gym ahead of the Monaco Diamond League. I will be doing light training because I don't want to take any chances at the World Championships," Omanyala said.
Daniel Kyumbe Munguti of KDF stunned compatriots such as World and Commonwealth champion Elijah Manangoi and his brother George, the former World Under-20 and Under-18 champion to clinch a decisive victory.
Munguti of KDF ran 3:39.11 while Vincent Keter and Victor Kipkurui placed second and third in 3:38.23 and 3:37.38 respectively. Charles Simotwo came in fourth as Elijah Manangoi and George Manangoi finished fifth and sixth.
Commonwealth silver medallist Daniel Simiu of Kenya Police continued his dominance, chalking victory in 5,000m, timing 13:34.26 ahead of Robert Kiprop (also from Kenya Police). Raphael Dapash took the third position.
World bronze medallist Mary Moraa cruised to victory in the women's 800m while Kipngetich Ngeno pulled shocked bigwigs in the men's category.
Former World Under-20 3,000m silver medallist Lilian Kasait made a resounding statement in the women's 5,000m.
Kasait, representing Kenya Prisons ran 15:01.37 to narrowly defeat her Police counterpart Beatrice Chepkoech (the steeplechase World Record holder), who stopped the clock in 15:01.78. Janet Chepngetich finished third in the 12.5-lap race.
Beatrice Chebet (Police) is the winner in 1500m women after clocking 4:06.09 ahead of Miriam Cherop and Purity Chepkirui who finished second and third respectively.
Pamela Kosgei, the younger sister to marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei proved that she was following in the footsteps of her mentor (Brigid) after winning the women's 3,000m steeplechase.
Pamela crossed the line first in 9:35.26 to win the women's 3000m steeplechase ahead of Kenya Prisons stars, Caren Chebet and Fancy Cherono.
"I had prepared well for the race and I had hopes of winning. Running with experienced athletes was not easy but I am now confident of a breakthrough in the steeplechase. My sister (Brigid Kosgei) has inspired me and I hope to achieve more victories, just like her," the Form Four student at Mokwo Girls High School in Elgeyo Marakwet County said after the win.