The 2021 World U20 men’s 1500m champion Vincent Keter, the reigning Absa Kip Keino Classic women’s 800m champion Lilian Odira and Sheila Chipkirui (women’s 10000m) all dazzled in their categories on the last day of the 2025 Kenya Prisons Service Inter-Regional Athletics, Darts and Chess Championships at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Keter stopped the clock in 3:48.91 to successfully defend the cutthroat men’s 1500m final, relegating Boaz Kurugut (3:49.37) and Nach Kapkama (3:53.01), who were breathing heavily on his neck, to second and third places, respectively.
Soaring Odira showed her mettle, breezing to the tape in 2:08.89 to defend her women’s 800m crown. Odira beat Jacinta Abese, who had gone neck to neck with her till the last 200m, with an unmatched finishing kick that relegated the latter to second place in 2:10.09 as Peninah Wangari completed the podium in 2:12.19.
Chepkirui waded through a star-studded field in women’s 10000m showdown, which was a very nervy affair, clocking 33.58.11 to become the category champion. Millicent Kemunto (34.09.57) and Visiline Chepkesho (35.11.99) followed second and third in that order.
Keter savoured his victory, saying: “I’m glad I attained my aim, which was to defend the men’s 1500m title, but the focus ahead is to attain the World Championships qualifying mark after failing to do so in the Rabat Diamond League and at the Absa Kip Keino Classic Meet last Saturday.”
Odira not only defended her 800m crown, but she also triumphed in the women’s 1500m and also made it to the finals in women’s 400m, even though she did not race in the final.
“I was doing the 400m just for fun, but I’m happy to win again my 800m title, even though I was not keen enough to go for a Personal Best. From here, I’m headed straight to training, where my coach and I will be working on my speed, as build-up and endurance have already been completed,” Odira highlighted.
Even though she was feeling a bit indisposed, Chepkirui was happy to finally bag the women’s 10000m race after finishing second in the women’s 5000m category in the opening day of the championships on Friday.
“I want to dedicate this gold to my regional commandant Barnabas Keino, he has mentored so many people and this is the best honour I can give him now that he is headed to retirement,” Chepkirui stated.
“I’m hopeful to make it to the Team Kenya for the World Championships in Tokyo, that’s my ultimate dream this year. I’m also looking forward to some high-level races abroad in the course of the season.”
Kenya Prisons Service Deputy Commissioner General Technical, Jane Kirii and Deputy Commissioner General Administrator, Nicholas Maswai, were all contented with the formidable lineup picked to represent the force at the forthcoming Athletics Kenya National Championships in Nairobi.
Ochieng Oyugi
| Jun 07, 2025