Kenya bags 24 medals in Nigeria athletics event
By Bosco Magare, July 22, 2025Kenya’s rising track and field stars dazzled at the 3rd edition of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships in Nigeria, bagging an impressive 24 medals with Mercyline Nakhumicha winning a silver medal in the women’s Under-18 race walk.
Nakhumicha secured the silver medal on the fifth day of the championship as the 3rd edition of the CAA concluded in Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun State in Nigeria.
Kenya’s youthful next generation of athletes made strident efforts to defend the country’s Under-18 title, which they had clinched during the CAA’s 2nd edition staged in 2023 in Ndola, Zambia.
An athlete from Kenya’s neighbouring country and athletics archrival Ethiopia clinched the gold medal in the U-18 race walk, while Algeria took bronze after Kenya’s silver medallist Nakhumicha.
Speaking to People Sports on July 21, 2025, from Abeokuta, Nigeria, Athletics Kenya (AK) national U-18 and U-20 Team Manager Joseph Ilovi said Kenya continued to perform well on the fifth and final day of the CAA’s 3rd edition as curtains came down on the championship on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the upgraded MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
“Kenya so far did very well during the 3rd edition of the Confederation of African Athletics, which featured 25 countries in Nigeria. By Saturday, July 19, Kenya had bagged eight gold medals in both U-18 and U-20 races, and eight silver medals, including four bronze medals,” a joyous Ilovi said. Ilovi noted that although Kenya won most of the 24 medals in track races, the country also performed well in field events like javelin and triple jump.
In the U-20 men’s triple jump category, Kevin Kemboi won a silver medal for Kenya, while Carolin Anyango bagged another silver in the women’s javelin category.
During the interview with People Sports, Ilovi said Kenya bagged most of the 24 medals in track events, particularly in long-distance races.
He added, “In the short-distance races, youthful Clinton Aluvi won a gold medal in the men’s U-20 100m race and promises to join the ranks of Kenya’s and Africa’s fastest athletes in the race, Ferdinand Omanyala.”
Ilovi said Kenya performed well in the U-20 long-distance women’s 1500m, men’s 2000m and 3000m, including 1500m, winning five gold medals in these events.
In the women’s 1500m, Caren Chipchirchir won a gold medal, while teammate Cynthia Chepkirui clinched another gold in the 3000m race.