Simon Kingara on Friday retained the 1,600m race walk title during the East Africa Community Inter-Parliamentary Games at KPA Mbaraki Sports Club.
Kingara first won the title during last year’s games in Kigali, Rwanda.
He beat Patrick Ochan of Uganda in this year's edition despite Ochan having led for the better part of the race.
Kingara clocked 9:42.6 to beat Ochan (9:49.7) to second place while Uganda’s John Teira completed the podium finish in 10:55.0.
It was a podium sweep for Uganda in the women’s category with Christine Akello (10:26.7), Susan Abeja (11:49.4) and Goretti Namugga (12:01.1) taking the first three slots.
“The weather was not friendly today because it was very humid. I would have posted better times,” Kingara said.
He encouraged young politicians to participate in the games.
“If I show you my national Identity Card, you will be shocked. We have young politicians in both houses who should join us in the games,” Kingara said.
In the men’s 800m, Kenya’s Titus Lotee was relegated to the third position.
The event was won by Uganda’s Julius Achon (2:26.0) with Robert Seketleeko taking silver in 2:28.1. Lotee finished in 2:28.4.
The Kacheliba MP said: “The Ugandans are elite athletes who have represented their country. I’m proud of the performance of Kenya as compared to previous years. It was a good race, next year, I will train more because I want to target the 800m and 1, 500m races."
Anathropia Theonest of Tanzania bagged gold in the women’s category after crossing the finishing line in 3:13.1 to beat Hellen Auma of Uganda (3:25.7) to second place. Geomcuine Mugabanisa came home third in 3:41.3
In the men’s 200m, Kenya’s Joe Nyutu won bronze (26.8) in the race won by Uganda’s Bernard Odoi (25.2), while his compatriot Patrick Ochan (26.1) took silver.
Uganda’s Joan Alobo lifted the women’s 200m title in 33.1 followed by compatriot Agnes Taaka (34.3) and Tanzania’s Condesta Sichwale (26.8).
