Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has urged Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala to hold his head high, despite missing out on the Olympic finals in Paris.
Kalonzo said Omanyala is an inspiration to many people locally and across the world.
"Hold your head high, Ferdinand Omanyala. You are an inspiration to millions of people, not only in Kenya but across Africa and the world," he said.
The former Vice President added that he is confident Omanyala's time to conquer the world stage will come.
"I am confident and have faith that your time will come, and we shall sing our beautiful and cherished National Anthem while you proudly exhibit the coveted 100m Gold Medal."
On Sunday, Omanyala's hopes of becoming the first ever Kenyan to reach the Olympics 100m final hit a snag as he finished a distant eighth in the semi-final.
He clocked 10.08 seconds to finish second last in the semi-final race.
In heats, he finished first, securing a spot in the semi-final race.
Omanyala cruised to a 10.08 finish in Heat 2 of the men’s 100m event at the Paris Games, leading Italy’s Chituru Ali (10.12) and Germany’s Joshua Hartmann (10.16).
In the Tokyo Olympics, Omanyala was eliminated after placing third (10.00) in semifinal 1.
He, however, said he was a better athlete and had high hopes of storming the final this year.
“So many things have happened in the last three years, Commonwealth and African titles and a couple of Diamond League wins. Three years is a long time for an athlete to grow,” he said.
