Nairobi field a formidable line up to battle for athletics medals

Nairobi special need education during Brookside term one games at Shanzu Teachers training college on April 8 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Nairobi Region is keen to challenge for athletics and cross-country medals at this year's Brookside Secondary Schools National Term One games.

Priding itself on producing world beaters like 3000m steeplechase Olympic champion Winfred Mutile Yavi, who switched her allegiance to Bahrain, Nairobi will be looking to unveil more future stars in Mombasa.

Just like many other Kenyan sports stars, Yavi's athletics career was launched at the school games where she represented Riruta Central Secondary School and Nairobi Region in various competitions.

The region's best-performing athletes have undergone rigorous training ahead of the national challenge. The top two athletes at the regional games secured their tickets to the nationals where they will be chasing medals as well as tickets to the East Africa games.

Phyllis Vugutsa of Dagoretti Mixed, who won the 3000m gold, will lead silver medalist Nadia Susan of Lavington Girls Secondary School in the hunt for medals.

Francis Mukia and Jimna Kibet will be expected to deliver medals in the boys 3000m race. Mukia from Riruta Central and Kibet Nairobi School won gold and silver and the Nairobi games, respectively.

In cross-country, Riruta Central's trio of Kashimir Munei, Eric Muinde and James Omole will lead the boys' hunt for medals.

They dominated the Nairobi region race for a clean sweep and are determined to achieve the same feet in Mombasa though they face stiff competition from their Rift Valley counterparts.

Former Riruta Central Secondary School student Winfred Yavi of Bahrain. [AFP]

Hezron Macharia of Our Lady of Fatima, Lamech Rotich of Highway Secondary School and David Ngide Toimana of Starehe Boys complete the boys' team of six.

Riruta Central's Jackline Mutheu, who won the regional girls cross-country contest, will be out to secure a podium finish in Mombasa.

Nicolatte Kayaro from Loresho Secondary, who won Silver and Valentine Kalaso of Riruta, who took bronze, Angeline Kwamboka (Hon Njoroge), Charity Chelangat (Mihango Secondary) and Faith Mayo of Pangani Girls will also be representing Nairobi in the girls' contest.

Nairobi athletes will also be hoping to excel in other track and field events when the competition begins.