Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, delivered a commanding performance on home soil, storming to victory in the men’s 100m at the Kip Keino Classic held at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday night.
The 2026 edition of the Kip Keino Classic, a premier meet on the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold calendar, drew a packed crowd to the Nairobi venue, with fans treated to a rare night spectacle under floodlights.
Thousands filled the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere for one of Africa’s flagship athletics events, which also featured international stars such as American sprinter Gabby Thomas in the 100m and 200m.
Omanyala, who had endured a disappointing outing at last year’s edition where he finished off the podium, looked composed out of the blocks and explosive in the closing metres.
He powered away from the field to clinch victory in 9.96 seconds, a performance that signalled both redemption and a return to top form, months after hinting at dipping back under the 10-second mark.
The Nairobi meet has long been a happy hunting ground for the Kenyan sprint star. It was here that he set the African record in 2021 and dominated subsequent editions, making Friday’s result a continuation of his strong affinity with the event named after legendary Olympian Kipchoge Keino.
In the middle-distance races, Emmanuel Wanyonyi produced one of the standout performances of the night after stepping up to the 1500m.
Widely known for his exploits in the 800m, Wanyonyi showed remarkable composure and tactical awareness over the longer distance, holding his own against a competitive field and hinting at growing versatility in his career.
His run drew loud cheers from the home crowd and added to the night’s highlights.
As part of the global Continental Tour circuit, the Kip Keino Classic continues to cement Nairobi’s place on the international athletics map, drawing elite competitors from across the world.
On this night, however, the spotlight firmly belonged to the home stars.
Omanyala’s victory was more than just a win, it was a statement after last season’s stumble and a reminder of his dominance on the continental sprint scene.
