A record 31 teams from across Kenya participated in the highly competitive Sprints and Relays Swimming Championship, hosted by the Kiambu County Aquatics Association at the weekend.

Swimmers from Malindi, Meru, Nakuru, Kajiado, Nyeri, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kiambu counties battled it out for top honours, setting the stage for the upcoming Kenya Aquatics Junior National Swimming Championship in May. 

Among the standout performances, Genesis Sports’ Wanjiru Samara claimed victory in the girls’ 100m Individual Medley (7 & Under) with a time of 2:04.56, while MAC Swimming Club’s Kahindo Jedidiah from Mombasa, a seasoned competitor at national events, dominated the boys’ 10-11 years 100m Individual Medley in 1:32.25. Kahindo expressed excitement about the competition and set his sights on qualifying for international tournaments through the next Junior Nationals. 

Youngsters also made a mark with Kibe Chris (Potterhouse School Runda) clocking 39.03 seconds to win the boys’ 7 & under Backstroke while Nuru Nadia (Aqua Shark Fin) secured gold in the girls’ 8-9 years 25m Breaststroke with 26.19 seconds.

Speaking after her win, Nadia, 9, shared her passion for swimming, highlighting the dedication behind her success.  “I train a lot, and swimming is my passion. I have worked hard to develop this skill and I’m really happy with my performance.”

The event attracted both junior and senior athletes, with Genesis Group’s Jeff Mutwiri Muthuri hailing the championship as an “amazing and highly competitive” showcase of talent.

Coach Patricia Wanjiru (Jawabu School) praised the turnout, noting that it had encouraged more parents to support their children in pursuing swimming. 

With participation levels surging, the Kiambu Championships continue to cement their place as a premier event in Kenya’s swimming calendar.

The competition not only provided a platform for upcoming swimmers but also served as a qualifying meet for the Kenya Aquatics Junior Nationals, set for May 3-4, 2025, at Aga Khan Academy, Kisumu.