As household athletes continued Kenya’s dominance and proof of the country’s reputation as a hub of sporting excellence in 2025, a horde of emerging athletes now eyeing the transition from the junior to elite levels also cropped up. 

 In the year, Kenya swept the 2025 World Championships distance races. The accolades now set the stage for a powerhouse 2026.

People Daily Sports looks at the emerging talents to watch as the focus shifts to another action-packed 2026 year. 

Paul Okoth

The Ulinzi Stars’ hotshot has taken the Football Kenya Premier League by storm and currently leads the FKF Premier League scoring charts with nine goals.

He was named the Premier League Player of the Month for November 2025, following a series of outstanding performances that have reinforced his growing influence in the top flight. 

2026 looks to come with more positive tidings, as he has already attracted interest from top league sides, including AFC Leopards, Kenya Police, and Gor Mahia.

Okoth is among the fastest rising stars from the Kenyan local football scene, and it remains to be seen if he can extend the fine start to the new year. 

Lilian Odira

The Kenya Police athlete’s splendid run at the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo not only won her the gold in the race but also secured her status as a possible heir apparent in women’s middle-distance, especially the fancied 800 m race, with their impressive time of 2:02.08.

The upcoming 2026 relay trials stand among her immediate targets as she looks into the international circuit, starting with the African Championships trials.

Edmund Serem

A 3,000m steeplechase star who emerged from the Tokyo Championship, who aptly used the global events to announce himself to the world.

At just 17, Serem earned bronze at the 2025 World Championships and was honored as the Male Rising Star of the Year.

Just as with Odira, his meteoric rise bodes well for Kenya’s dominance and depth in steeplechase, where the nation remains a dominant force.

He will be participating in the year’s World U20 Championships steeplechase and African Senior Championships (July 10, Accra).

Others in the list of the stars tipped for dominance and success include cross-country heroines: 17-year-old Cynthia Chepkirui, the African U18 3,000 m champion, and her 5,000 m companion, Celestine Jepkorir.

Judy Kemunto, who clinched bronze at the Kenyan women’s 800m championships (2:02.93) as a high school standout with the fastest time for a junior in the field, and the emerging male duo of Kelvin Loti (21) and Laban Kipkorir (20), who have shown tremendous promise as the new crop of athletes after dominating middle-distance nationals: and Phanuel Koech, 22.

With proper guidance and progressive competition to bolster their achievements in 2025, these blends of high school phenomena and recent national champions are poised to mark a powerful transition from junior to elite levels, especially in the athletics scene.

Cross-country athletes

Others in the list of the stars tipped for dominance and success include cross-country heroines: 17-year-old Cynthia Chepkirui, the African U18 3,000 m champion, and her 5,000 m companion, Celestine Jepkorir.

Judy Kemunto, who clinched bronze at the Kenyan women’s 800m championships (2:02.93) as a high school standout with the fastest time for a junior in the field, and the emerging male duo of Kelvin Loti (21) and Laban Kipkorir (20), who have shown tremendous promise as the new crop of athletes after dominating middle-distance nationals: and Phanuel Koech, 22.

With proper guidance and progressive competition to bolster their achievements in 2025, these blends of high school phenomena and recent national champions are poised to mark a powerful transition from junior to elite levels, especially in the athletics scene.

Curated list of potential breakout stars

Cynthia Chepkurui, 17, is expected to debut in senior Diamond League meets and is also targeting Commonwealth youth quotas and AK’s open weekend series for ranking boosts. 

Celestine Jepkorir, 18, is poised for invitational AK premium meets and could challenge for Commonwealth selection. 

Paul Okoth: The highly sought-after Ulinzi Stars striker currently leading the scoring charts in the Football Kenya Premier League.