Kenya will be seeking to retain the title as the athletics programme gets underway today in the ongoing East Africa Secondary Schools games at Bukedea in Uganda.
Kenya lifted both the boys' and girls' track and field titles in Huye, Uganda last year.
Junior athletes, who missed slots in Kenya's team to the World U20 championships set for August 27 to 31 in Lima Peru, will be in action in Uganda.
Sprinter Daniel Wasike, a student at Riooga Secondary School in Nyamira County, said he is ready for the regional championships.
“It was disappointing to narrowly miss the World Under- 20 Championships. I competed in 100m and 200m at the national trials but I did not make it. However, that disappointment is a motivation for me to work hard here in Uganda,” said Wasike.
Wasike, who will feature in 100m and 4x100m relays, has a personal best of 10.56 in 100m and 21.77 in 200m.
His compatriot James Gechuki (800m) did not participate in the national trials because he didn't have a passport. Gechuki and Wasike have been training under former athlete and coach Thomas Osano in Nairobi.
“I wanted to run at the trials but I failed to get a passport in good time. We are now in Uganda and I want to win gold for my country,” said Gechuki.
They will be joined by Ekerubo Gietai’s Faith Onserio, who will participate in the 400m race. She has been training in Nairobi with junior internationals Sarah Orobi and Loice Morara under coach Josephine Nyarunda.
Onserio is the national secondary schools' 400m champion and finished second during the national U20 trials. Riooga principal and coach Haron Onchong’a backed the trio to bag gold.
“Before they went to Uganda, I sent them to train in Nairobi under experienced coaches. I wanted them ready for FEASSA and I’m confident they will clinch gold,” said Onchong’a.
Junior international Beatrice Machoka is hoping to dominate sprints and relays. The student at St Peter’s Keberesi in Kisii won the 200m race during the nationals.
Others who are expected to shine in Uganda are Dorcas Isoe (800m and 1, 500m), Mirriam Nyambane (triple jump and long jump) and Bridgit Ngetich (3, 000m). Others who are expected to shine in Uganda are Dorcas Isoe (800m and 1, 500m), Mirriam Nyambane (triple jump and long jump) and Bridgit Ngetich (3, 000m).