Finally, Nyayo National Stadium open for business

Since renovations started at the Nyayo National Stadium in 2017, several deadlines came and passed, with end-users giving up on the facility.

But a late burst of energy in the fresh administration of Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and Principal Secretary Joe Okudo, with personal indulgence of President Uhuru Kenyatta finally got the works on course.

And on Saturday, Amina and Okudo will be rubbing their hands with glee as President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opens the spruced up stadium.

The refurbishment has been spectacular with the venue now capable of hosting any world-class event, with the Kip Keino Classic next Saturday (October 3) showcasing the celebrated stadium. Saturday’s ceremony will also see the President watch a dry run of the Kip Keino Classic with several events lined up to test the waters. The test events, that will feature 200 metres, 400m, 800m and 1,500m, all both for men and women, and the 4x400m mixed relay races will start at 9.30am.

Athletics Kenya senior vice president Paul Mutwii, disclosed that the long jump competitions will also be held as organisers test systems that they will use for the October 3 Kip Keino Classic, a leg of the World Athletics Continental Tour. “Our electronic timing machines have to be tested considering that some of the gadgets were sent to Belgium for calibration and are back. We need to see if they are in order,” said Mutwii, who is also AK’s director of competitions.

Kip Keino Classic meeting director Barnaba Korir said Kenya is ready to host the last leg of the Continental Tour “Gold label” meetings with experienced meet organisers Steffi Brachman and Armin Reepschlager having arrived from Germany to oversee the final preparations. “They are here to make sure that everything in the stadium is in order, especially the electronic timing machine and the security systems,” Korir said. “They also want to make sure that the hosting broadcaster meets all the requirements.”

Nation Media Group’s television outlet, NTV, will relay the Kip Keino Classic live from the Nyayo National Stadium on October 3, and will also be live at Saturday’s presidential opening.

Korir disclosed that they will have the final Kip Keino Classic start list, especially in the core events, upon the completion of the Diamond League event in Doha last night.

“Most of those taking part in Doha would love to compete in Kenya and can only do that after the event is over,” said Korir, adding that they have settled on Crown Plaza Hotel located in Upper Hill area as the official hotel of the Kip Keino Classic. “All the athletes and officials taking part in the classic will reside at the hotel, which is in line with World Athletics and Ministry of Health Covid-19 pandemic requirements and regulations."

Korir said they are in touch with the Ministry of Health to have Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) handle the testing of the athlete for Covid-19 ahead of the Classic.

“We shall furnish them with all the athletes who are taking part in the classic for the testing process,” said Korir.

Test run start list

Events and athletes for test run:-

200m

Men:- Dan Kiviasi (Prisons), Matthew Matayo (KDF), Mark Otieno (Eastern), Samuel Chege (KDF), Hesbon Ochieng (Prisons), Peter Mwai (Police), Walter Moenga (KDF), Alex Mwangangi

Women:- Maximilla Imali (Police), Monica Zephania (Police), Caroline Waiganjo (Eastern), Queenecter Kisembe( KDF), Doreen Waka(Prisons), Susan Nyambura (Prisons), Caroline Mwende (KDF), Gladys Mumbe (Southern).

400m

Men:- Cleophas Kipruto (KDF), William Rayian (Police), Jared Momanyi (KDF), Stanley Kieti (Police), Emmanuel Mutua (Southern), David Sanayek (Prisons), Joseph Sanare (KWS), Benson Lekishon (Eastern).

Women:-Linda Kageha (Nyanza South), Gladys Musyoki (Police0, Maureen Thomas (Nyanza South), Everngeline Makena (Eastern), Tabitha Mogina (KDF), Elizabeth Katugwa (Police), Jacinta Shikanda (Police), Veronica Mutua (Police)

800m

Men- Timothy Sein(Police), Stephen Mosindet (Nairobi), Evans Polonet (Ngong), Robert Kimutai (KDF), Moses Kipkemboi (KDF), Nickson Chepkeing (KDF), Amos Ndote (Southern), James Kimeu (Southern).

Women- Eglay Nalianya (Police), Mary Moraa (Nyanza South), Sylvia Chesebe (Prisons), Naumglorious Jepchumba (Police), Josephine Musau (Prisons), Christine Ndanu (Southern), Victoria Kalondu (Southern), Regina Wambui (Nairobi).

1,500m

Men- Vincent Kibet (Riongai), Alex Matata (Southern), James Mwanzia (Southern), Samuel Ruoti (KDF), Stephen Kipkech (Police), Etinag Kamar (Central Rift), Boaz Kiplagat (Prisons), Nickosn Lesiya (Southern), Haron Langat (Police), Collins Koros (KDF).

Women- Anne Mwongeli (Southern), Edinah jebitok (South Rift), faith Mwende (Southern), Ann Nduku (Sourthern), Sheila Jepchirchir (Prisons), Pauline Mwenda (Southern).

Long jump

Men:- Bethwell Kiplagat (KDF), Philip Mwendwa (KDF), Tera Langat (Prisons)

Women:- Priscilla Tabunda (KDF), Ivyn  Chepkemoi, Regina Mulatya (Prisons)

4x400m mixed relays

Police- William Rayian, Gladys Musyoki, Stanley Kieti, Maureen Thomas.

AK “A”- Mary Moraa, Elgay Nalianya, Emmanuel Mutua, Jared Momanyi
KDF- Cleophas Kipruto, Everngeline Makena, Linda Kageha, Joseph Sanare
Prisons- Veronia Mutua, Evans Polonet, Elizabeth Katungwa, Timothy Sein

AK “B”- Sylvia Chesebe, David Senayaki, Naumglorius Chepchumba, Benson Lekishon

Nairobi- Josephine Musau, Jacinta Shikanda, James Kimeu, Robert Korir