Team Kenya's squad for Paris Paralympics complete

Powerlifter Hellen Wawira in training. [KNPC Media]

Team Kenya for the 2024 Paris Paralympics Games scheduled for August 28-September 8 in the French capital is now complete.

This is after five more athletes were included in para athletics team bringing 14 the number of para athletes to have qualified in five disciplines for the Paris Paralympic Summer Games.

The development came just after para cyclist Bedan Ireri Maina (road racing C3) and powerlifter Hellen Wawira (women's upto 41kg) qualified for the Paris Games.

They are Samuel Mushai (5,000m T11, who is eying a historic fifth appearance at the Paralympics, John Lokedi (5,000m T13), and Priscah Jepkemei (1,500m T11).

Others are Samson Ojuka (Long Jump T37) and Sheila Wanyonyi (Javelin F12).

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) granted Kenya three open slots for athletes, who achieved high performance after the World Para-Athletics Championships held June this year in Kobe, Japan.

Mushai, Lokedi and Jepkemei, who were among those on high performance list, were then picked after their exemplary performance during the national trials held Friday last week at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu.

IPC went on to issue two more direct slots to Ojuka and Wanyonyi following their good show at the World Para-Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan where they chalked career best performances.

“We thought we were through but we are glad that the IPC gave us two more direct slots through world ranking to Ojuka and Wanyonyi, who will be making their first appearance at the Paralympic Games,” said the Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC) president Ronald Milare.

Milare said they will keep their options open since IPC could still add them more slots since there is still time. 

In total, Kenya will be represented by 14 athletes and seven guides in five disciplines at the Paris Games.

Guided by Jean Kipchumba Mushai, Mushai, who made his debut at the 2008 Beijing Games, winning silver in 1,500m T11, Mushai, won the 5,000m T11 in Eldoret, clocking 15 minutes and 51.4 seconds.

Mushai punched his ticket, edging out Eric Sang and Wilson Bii to second and third places in 16:36.8 and 17:38.7 respectively.

Lokedi made his case known when he won the men’s 5.000m T13 event in 15:35.8.

Jepkemei’s efforts were enough to see her punch her ticket to Paris despite finishing third in women's 1,500m T11 in 5:10.9 behind Nancy Chelangat (5:02.0) and Mary Waithera (5:05.4).