NAIROBI, Kenya, June 19, 2026 – Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Stephen Ndangiri showed a clean pair of heels to win the men’s 10,000m racewalk at the Athletics Kenya (AK) National Championships at the Nyayo Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The African silver medalist clocked 39:14.0 to clinch first place, ahead of three-time African 20km champion Samuel Gathimba, who timed 39:45.4 in second place.
The 2021 World Under 20 champion, Herriston Wanyonyi, had to make peace with third place, having clocked 40:59.7.
Ndagiri credited his victory to proper pre-race preparation and determination.
“Since 2014, KDF has never won this race so I am proud that I have brought back the title. Gathimba has been so dominant over us and this is something I was aware of coming into this event. I was never going to give back even when the conditions became tough,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the women’s 10,000m racewalk, African 20km racewalk silver medalist Sylvia Jerono picked up from her success in Accra with another win.
She clocked 48:39.2 to take top honours as Violet Chepkemoi came second in 49:53.4.
Caren Naliaka Simiyu took the final podium place after clocking 50:54.5.
The championships are doubling up as national trials for next month’s Commonwealth Games, set for Glasgow on July 23-August 2.
