Big names dominate at National Championships

Renowned and budding athletes alike converged at the Nyayo National Stadium for the national athletics championships that kicked off Thursday in Nairobi.

The three-day event which is the climax of the local track and field season has also attracted foreign athletes from Uganda, Seychelles and South Africa.

Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala was among top athletes who delivered unrivalled performance on the opening day of the championships.

Omanyala who representing the National Police Service (NPS) clocked 10.09 seconds to storm to semis scheduled for Friday before competing in the final on Saturday.

"I actually didn't expect to run that fast because this were just heats. I am here to represent NPS who are my employers and I am hoping to run well in semis and finals and if I can manage sub-10 then that would be great," Omanyala said.

Fresh from competing at the Paris Diamond League, Omanyala said he has gained valuable lessons from the series where he now tops the standings.

"It has been a wonderful tour competing at the top level, I think I have gained alot which is key in my preparations for the World Championships.

World 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech sailed through in the women's 5000m after clinching victory in her semis clash.

Janet Chepngetich of South Rift stunned an experienced field to win the second semifinal in 15:48.20

Commonwealth Games champions Mary Moraa clocked 2:06.44 to triumph in her heat in the women's 800m.

Olympic silver medallists Ferguson Rotich (800m) and Timothy Cheruiyot locked horns in the men's 800m race as the duo sealed slots in the semis of the two-lap race.

The Kenyan relay team will seek qualification for the World Championships when they compete against Uganda, Botswana and South Sudan in both 4x100m and 4x400m races.