Stency Neema begins season on a high at Para Athletics National Trials
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 31.01.26. | 16:06
The Siaya trials serve as the primary selection platform for the national squad that will represent Team Kenya in a series of high-stakes competitions, including the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix circuit
Kenyan para athlete Stency Neema dominated the T47 100m and 200m women races as the Para Athletics National Trials got underway on Friday, 30 January at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium in Siaya Town.
In the T47 100m women's race, Neema, who also doubles up as a para-badminton and para-taekwondo star, won with ease, clocking a time of 13.0, a qualifying mark according to the global standards.
She carried the same form to the T47 200m women's race, which she also won in a time of 27.6.
“I’m just starting my season, and my body is responding extremely well to training. Despite the fact that I didn’t manage to run my personal best in today’s races, I’m still satisfied with my performance, and I’m looking forward to a great season ahead,” Neema, who hails from Migori, said.
Elsewhere, Samson Ojuka, who won a long jump silver medal for Kenya at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France, won the men's T37 100m race in a qualifying time of 12.6, beating his closest opponent, Fred Ochieng, by a massive gap.
Ojuka will also be seeking to attain qualifying marks in the long jump as he returns to action on Saturday.
In the men’s T13 5000m race, John Lokedi won in a time of 15:54, while Wilson Bii recovered from a tumble early in his race, to win the T11 5000m men race in a time 16:23, beating veteran middle and long distance runner Samuel Mushai to second place in a time of 16:27 as Eric Sang finished third in a time of 17:01.
The first day of the national trials attracted a large number of Para athletes from different parts of the country.
“These trials serve as the primary selection platform for the national squad that will represent Team Kenya in a series of high-stakes competitions, including the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix circuit, with stops in Rabat and Tunis, regional championships, and other International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sanctioned events,” said KNPC president Ronald Milare.
In a bid to unearth raw talent from across the country, organisers extended an open invitation to a wide range of participants. The inclusive approach is aimed at strengthening Kenya’s talent pipeline ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
The invitation is open to educational institutions, including primary and secondary special schools, colleges and universities; sports organisations such as registered clubs and community-based para-sports groups; county-sponsored para athletes; and independent individuals.
“This is a golden opportunity for our athletes to prove their mettle on a national stage. We are not just looking for seasoned veterans, but also the next generation of talent currently in our schools and colleges,” Milare added.
The trials are featuring a comprehensive programme of track and field events. A key component of the exercise will be the National Classification process, which ensures athletes are grouped fairly based on the impact of their impairment on sports performance, in line with IPC international standards.
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