Silas Senchura (L), Kevin Chesang and Mathew Kipkoech (R)/ TEDDY MULEIA youthful distance-running trio of Silas Senchura, Kevin Chesang and Mathew Kipkoech will seek to end Kenya’s 14-year wait for a men’s 10,000m title at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana.
The 25-lap encounter is scheduled for Wednesday at 6.25pm Kenyan time.
Kenya last struck gold in Porto-Novo, Benin, in 2012 when Kenneth Kipkemoi timed 27:19.74 to lead a memorable Kenyan sweep alongside, Mark Kiptoo (27:20.77) and Lewis Mosoti (27:22.54).
At the 2014 championships in Marrakesh, Morocco, Josphat Bett battled to bronze in 28:11.61 behind Eritrea’s Nguse Tesfaldet (28:11.07) and Morocco’s Mustapha El Aziz (28:11.36).
Two years later in Durban, South Africa, Wilfred Kimitei came close, storming to silver in 28:03.18 behind home favourite Stephen Mokoka (28:02.97).
At the 2018 edition in Asaba, Nigeria, the podium proved out of reach for the Kenyans as Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer (29:08.01), Andamlak Belihu (29:11.09) and Uganda’s Timothy Toroitich (29:11.87) grabbed all the medals.
At the delayed 2022 championships in Saint Pierre, Mauritius, Kenya returned to the podium through Abraham Longosiwa, who clinched bronze in 29:23.02. Ethiopians Mogos Tuemay (29:19.01) and Chimdessa Debele (29:22.74) took gold and silver, respectively.
The trend continued at the 2024 edition in Douala, Cameroon, where Roncer Konga managed bronze in 28:52.94 behind Ethiopians Nibret Melak (28:52.27) and Gemechu Dida (28:52.79).
“My target is to push myself alongside my teammates to secure a podium finish in Ghana,” Senchura said after the Athletics Kenya trials on April 10.
Senchura heads into the championships as the reigning national 10,000m champion after clinching last year’s title in 28:26.17.
The youngster has also enjoyed a strong 2026 campaign, beginning with a third-place finish in the senior men’s 10km race at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour in 29:46.
He later placed fourth at the Castellon 10K in 26:58, finished sixth at the Lille 5K in 13:08, before producing another impressive display at the African Championships trials where he clocked 28:39.16 to finish second behind Chesang’s winning mark of 28:38.52.
Chesang, equally bullish ahead of the continental showdown, believes Kenya has what it takes to challenge for medals in Accra.
“The target for me in Ghana is to ensure I finish on the podium. It will not be easy, but I will push myself,” Chesang said.
The youngster heads to Ghana brimming with confidence after a dominant display at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, where he powered to victory in 28:31.50 ahead of Mkulia Kipkandie (28:36.37) and Charles Kiboino (28:37.81).
Kipkoech, meanwhile, continues to steadily find his rhythm on the track and will also be eager to announce himself on the continental stage.
“I have not been running track races for long, but now I have started switching to the track because I have seen I am in good form on the track,” Kipkoech said. “I want to secure my first podium finish for Team Kenya in Ghana.”
The youngster will be hoping to maintain his impressive start to the season after opening his campaign with a third-place finish at the Malaga Half Marathon in 1:01:29 before another podium effort at the African Championships trials, where he clocked 28:47.56 for third place.
