Margaret Nyairera, Alice Aprot graduate at Kenya Prisons

Olympic 800m bronze medallist Margaret Nyairera and Africa 10,000m champion Alice Aprot were among a galaxy of stars who graduated at a ceremony at the Kenya Prisons Service Training College in Ruiru on Wednesday.

Nyairera, the 2016 World Indoor 800m bronze medallist, and Aprot, the African Games 10,000m champion, were on the list of over 20 sports personalities who graduated as constables.

Aprot, 23, who is also the reigning Africa Cross Country champion, will be defending her National Cross Country title on Saturday at Uhuru Gardens, where 21-year-old Nyairera, the 2014 World Junior 800m champion, will compete in relays.

“Even though I haven’t been consistent in my preparations owing to college work in Ruiru, I am ready to defend my title,” said Aprot, who won the Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships last month.

Aprot finished fourth in 10,000m at the Rio Olympic Games.

“I can now fully focus my attention to the World Cross and hopefully World Championships in August,” said Aprot, the 2010 World Junior 5,000m bronze medallist.

Africa Cross Country bronze medallist Charles Mneria, who won the Machakos leg of Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series in December and represented Kenya in 5,000m at Rio Olympic Games, also graduated alongside Africa 5,000m bronze medallist Mangata Ndiwa, who is also the 2006 World Cross Country junior champion.

Wilfred Kimitei, who won silver in 10,000m at the 2016 Africa Championships, and seasoned long distance runner Peter Emase also graduated alongside middle-distance runners Mark Bett and Kiprugut Bor.

Among the sprinters who graduated are David Chemjor, Dan Kivisu, Boniface Gichi, Hesbon Ochieng, Cyrus Mwaka, Eric Kiptoo, Elizabeth Nekesa and Josphine Nyakora, and hurdler Gladys Ngure.

Steeplechaser Gladys Kemboi and volleyballers Florida Juma and Esther Simiyu were also in the mix.