Kenya book slot in World Championships after record breaking start at World Athletics Relays
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 02.05.26. | 17:02
With qualification secured, Kenya now turn their attention to the final scheduled for Sunday, 3 May
Team Kenya’s mixed 4x400m relay squad booked their place at the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, after a thrilling and record-breaking performance at the 2026 Gaborone World Athletics Relays on Saturday, 2 May.
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Competing on African soil for the first time in the event’s history, the Kenyan quartet delivered a statement run, clocking 3:09.87 to not only seal qualification but also set a new African record.
The team finished second in the heat won by Great Britain. The result marked a perfect start to their campaign and showcased Kenya’s growing strength in the relay discipline.
Lining up in the final heat, Kenya’s charge was sparked by George Mutinda, who kept the team within reach despite sitting fifth after the opening leg.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Mercy Oketch took over. In a stunning second leg, Oketch reeled in the field and surged into the lead, setting the tone for the rest of the race.
Kelvin Tonui maintained the advantage with a composed third leg, ensuring Kenya stayed in control heading into the anchor. Mercy Chebet then brought it home in style, sealing a memorable finish and confirming Kenya’s spot at the global showpiece.
Great Britain 🇬🇧 won the final heat of the mixed 4x400m at the World Relays in 3:09.69!
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) May 2, 2026
They beat a strong Kenyan 🇰🇪 team that ran 3:09.87, while Italy 🇮🇹 in 3rd also qualified in 3:10.60. pic.twitter.com/x2WGvDx1Ut
The performance came as little surprise to the team's followers, particularly given Oketch’s red-hot form this season.
The Kenyan star recently made headlines at the Akani Simbine Classic in Pretoria, where she stormed to a world-leading 35.77 in the women’s 300m, a national record that placed her at the top of the global rankings in the rarely contested distance.
Her consistency has been evident throughout the campaign. At the Kip Keino Classic, Oketch dominated the women’s 400m, winning in a season-best 50.17 ahead of Paris Peoples, while Chebet underlined her own progress by finishing third in a personal best 51.14.
Oketch had earlier signalled her intent at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix, where she posted an impressive 50.28 to finish second, hinting at her championship pedigree early in the season.
With qualification secured, Kenya now turn their attention to the final scheduled for Sunday, 3 May, where they will face stiff competition from Great Britain, who posted 3:09.69, and Italy, who finished in 3:10.60.
The top six teams in the mixed 4x400m relay will qualify for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September.
In the 4x100m, Kenya finished fifth in 38:50. The result means that the team will compete in an additional race on Sunday, 3 May, where the top two teams will also qualify for Beijing 2027.