Murkomen flags off team Kenya for Peru World Under 20 Athletics Championships

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen officially flagged off the World Under-20 Athletics Championships team this morning, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi.

The team of 22 athletes received the flag from Murkomen, who urged them to take the event seriously since the country will depend on them for the Los Angels Olympics games set for 2028.

“We are depending on you, and we shall scrutinise your performance, even if you may not win a medal but run well, we shall consult on how to support your career development. Some of the senior athletes who represented us in the Paris Olympics will have retired or moved to other races," Murkomen said.

Murkomen promised cash awards to the athletes who secure medals as a motivation package. Any athlete who wins gold will get Sh500,000, while silver and bronze medallists will receive Sh350,000 and Sh150,000, respectively.

“As your Cabinet secretary, I promise you that to anyone, who wins a medal, I and my friends will add Sh100,000 to the prize money,” Murkomen added.

The CS also told Kenyans to support other athletes who have changed allegiance to other countries adding that it is part of the nation's labour exportation.

"Our sister Winfred Yavi has our full support, to run for the country that she is running for, however, she must know that we will allow athletes to run for other countries, but we shall beat them," Murkomen said.

"I understand that we have lost most of our traditional races because some of our coaches and technical teams are not well equipped with sports science and technology to produce world beaters. We are looking into partnering with the federation to equip them.”

While receiving the flag, Team Kenya captain Edmund Serem, said he will lead by example, adding that if all goes well, the team will bring medals at the five-day championship—from August 27-31.

“This will not be like Cali, Columbia where we lost number 1 and 2 to Ethiopia. Matthew Kosgey and I have been working on our teamwork we raced together in the Africa Senior championships and brought a silver and bronze. If all goes well, we shall bring a gold and a silver," Serem said.

Present during the event were Sports PS Eng Peter Tum, Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd.)Jackson Tuwei and vice president AK Paul Mutwii.

The team is expected to depart for Lima, Peru, on Saturday at 4 am aboard KLM at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Team Kenya

Men

Stephen Ndangiri- 10,000m Race Walk

Andrew Kiptoo- 5000m

Koech Kibiwott- 1500m

Josphat Kipkirui- 1500m

Denis Kipkoech -3000m

 Ishmael Rokitto - 5000m

 Kelvin Kimutai- 800m

Phanuel Kipkosgei- 800m

Matthew Kosgei- 3000m

Clinton Kimutai Ngetich-3000m

Edmund Serem -3000m SC

Women

Diana Chepkemoi- 3000 SC

Mercy Chepkemoi - 3000m

Sharon Chepkemoi - 3000m

Sheila Jebet - 5000m

Janet Jepkemoi - 800m

Marion Jepngetich - 3000m

Miriam Chemutai Kibet - 1500m

Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka - 1500

Sarah Moraac - 800m