National Police Service (NPS) athletics head coach Isaac Kirwa is confident Kenya will claim a clean sweep of athletics medals at the East Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) Games between April 27 and May 4 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Games bring together elite law enforcement athletes from 14 countries, fostering regional cooperation through sport while showcasing their talent and tactical discipline.
Kenya will be out to improve their runner-up position from the 2023 edition in Kigali, Rwanda, where they bagged 88 medals (28 gold, 21 silver, 39 bronze) to edge out Ethiopia, 91 medals (45 gold, 21 silver, 25 bronze).
Despite the overall second-place finish in Rwanda, Kenya reigned supreme on the track, topping the athletics charts.
Kenya will field a 108-member squad across five disciplines — athletics, darts, boxing, handball and shooting.
They have 40 athletes (21 men, 19 women), with Kirwa highlighting the desire to defend the overall athletics crown.
“Our primary focus is to retain the athletics crown,” said Kirwa. “We have a strong team, anchored by some of the country’s best talents, and we’re confident they’ll deliver.”
The athletics team will compete in sprints (100m, 200m, 400m), middle distances (800m, 1,500m), long distances (5,000m, 10,000m), road races (malf marathon), and field events including discus, javelin and shot put.
Leading the men's charge is world 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu, whose explosive form in early 2025 — particularly in cross country — has positioned him as a medal favourite in the 25-lap showdown.
"Simiu's form this season is a big boost. He’s hungry and that hunger will drive him in Addis,” Kirwa noted.
He will be flanked by seasoned names including two-time Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal, Edwin Bett and Abel Kipsang.
World Masters Indoor 200m champion Millicent Ndoro headlines a vibrant women's squad.
With Ethiopia enjoying home advantage, Kirwa knows the rivalry will be fierce — but insists Team Kenya is ready for battle.
“They may have the home advantage, but we have had sufficient preparations. Our athletes have been grinding since last year in anticipation of these Games. We are ready,” he said.
