STARS TRIUMPH AS KDF ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF

The 45th edition of the Kenya Defence Forces Track and Field Championship officially began on Wednesday 11th June 2025, with KDF’s top athletes converging at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi to face off for glory.

The competition was set in motion by Athletics KDF Chairman Brigadier Mathew Lenamunai, who, in his remarks, urged all the athletes to maintain cohesiveness, discipline and team work, and once victorious, fly high the Kenya Defence Forces’ flag.

In the men’s 10,000m final, Valencia marathon silver medalist, Senior Private Wisley Yego from Wajir Air Base took the lead with a time of 28.37.53 followed by Modika’s Lance Corporal Roncer Kong’a with a time of 28.37.81. Close at third was Charles Katul from Embakasi with a time of 28.37.82.

In the women’s 5000m final, London and New York marathon champion and former Half Marathon World Record Holder Sergeant Joycyline Jepkosgei from Modika outclassed her competitors to take glory, in a time of 15.23.6, followed by Senior Private Daisilah Jerono from Moi Air Base (15.28.8) and Gunner Esther Chemtai from Embakasi (15.36.1)

Other winners of the day included Cpl Wiseman Were and Cpl Michael Musyoka in the men’s 110m hurdles and Senior Private Phylis Nyandusi in the 100 women’s hurdles, Lance Cpl Asbel Kiprop and Senior Private Faith Jepkemoi in the high jump, Senior Private Emmanuel Mbogo and Cpl Norah Jeptoo in the pole vault, Cpl Alexander Kiprotich in the javelin and Lance Cpl Leonard Bett in the Discus.

The competition brings together 17 teams assembled from all national regions and KDF formations with athletes participating in over 20 disciplines, with the introduction of tug of war in this year’s event.

Other KDF stars expected to light up the championship include Kenya Relay team members who helped the country qualify for the World Championships during the 2025 World Relays in China last month. They include Cpl Boniface Mweresa, Cpl Zablon Ekwon, Lance Cpl Steve Odhiambo and Gunner Meshak Babu as well as Senior Private Mercy Okech who is also the national 400m champion. Other names include Commonwealth 400m Silver medalist Sgt Alfax Kishoyan and world military games 3000m steeplechase champion Senior Private Simon Koech.

The three days’ competition will close on Friday 13 June with the event being graced by Defence Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya. The winners will consolidate a team that KDF will front at the National Championships set for 26th June 2025 and trials for slots in Kenya’s team for the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo in September.