mmegi

Africa's fastest man speaks, advises Letsile

Star power: Omanyala (right) talks to Mmegi Sport’s Calistus Kolantsho
Star power: Omanyala (right) talks to Mmegi Sport’s Calistus Kolantsho

NAIROBI: Kenya is globally acknowledged as a long-distance running hub. The country has some of the best marathon runners, most of them originating from The Great Rift Valley. Long-distance running in Kenya is incomplete without the mention of the 2020 Olympic gold medallist, Eliud Kipchoge, who is regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time.

But recently, there is one man who is on the verge of amplifying a shift and turning Kenya into a sprint nation. Ferdinand Omanyala Omurwa is a national hero who counts Kenya's first citizen, President Uhuru Kenyatta among his fans.

Omurwa proved his mettle when he upset American sprinter, Fred Kelly during the Kip Keino Classic-World Continental Tour Gold held in Nairobi last week. It was the much-anticipated event in the programme and the organisers were intelligent enough to put the race at the end. Omurwa made a quick dash to the finish line clocking 9.85 (+2.0). The performance made him Africa's 100m record holder and he is now pushing to be the continent's 100m champion. The win saw the Moi International Sports Centre explode into joyous celebrations, which were led by Kenyatta. As it stands, Omurwa is ranked the number one 100m runner.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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