Kenya Ready to Roar: Tuwei Tips Young Cross-Country Squad to Punch Above Its Weight in Florida

By KPC Reporter

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei has expressed strong confidence in Kenya’s youthful squad heading to the World Cross Country Championships on January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, saying the team is ready to punch above its weight and extend the country’s dominance in global distance running.

Tuwei was speaking during a visit to the Team Kenya training camp at St Mark’s Teachers College, Kigari, where the athletes have been fine-tuning their preparations for the global showpiece.

He praised the squad for choosing to remain in camp throughout the festive season, describing the decision as a clear sign of their commitment and hunger for success.

“Thank you for deciding to remain in camp even during this Christmas period. We thought you would want to go home to be with your families during Christmas and New Year,” Tuwei told the athletes. “However, you have dedicated yourselves to training, and that shows you are serious about this championship.”

The Athletics Kenya boss, who is also a World Athletics vice president, reminded the team that Kenya will be competing with a target on its back as defending overall champions.

“We are the defending overall champions. This is a young team, and I am confident you will give your very best in Florida,” he said, wishing the athletes well as they prepare to represent the country.

At the last edition of the championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Kenya topped the medal table with an impressive haul of 11 medals—six gold, two silver and three bronze—finishing ahead of Ethiopia, which collected 10 medals, and Uganda, which took five.

Athletics Kenya chair of youth development Barnaba Korir echoed Tuwei’s optimism, saying Kenya travels to Florida carrying the responsibility of champions.

“Kenya will be going out to defend the title we won in Belgrade last year. I am confident this young group of athletes will deliver good results,” Korir said.

In Belgrade, Kenya claimed gold in the women’s senior 10km through Beatrice Chebet, the men’s under-20 race via Samuel Kibathi, and the mixed relay.

Looking ahead to Tallahassee, Korir said Kenya remains competitive across all categories, even as the men’s senior team undergoes a transition.

“In Belgrade we won the senior women’s title but missed out on the men’s senior crown,” he noted. “Apart from Daniel Ebenyo and Ishmael Kirui, who recently moved up to the senior ranks, the men’s team is very young. I don’t want to put too much pressure on them, but I am sure they will do very well.”

Korir also tipped the women’s team and the mixed relay to successfully defend their titles, citing the experience of athletes such as Reynold Cheruiyot and Daniel Munguti.

With cold conditions expected in the United States in January, Korir said the federation has prepared the athletes accordingly.

“The morning and evening conditions here in Kigari are almost similar to what they will experience in the US,” he said.

Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya Chief Administrative Officer Susan Kamau confirmed that all logistical arrangements for Team Kenya have been finalized, including entries, visas and travel.

“The final entries have been completed, and visa appointments are scheduled in three groups on December 29 and 30, with the final group on January 5,” Kamau said, adding that athletes are required to report to the Team Kenya camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on December 28.

Departure to the United States will be in two groups, on January 5 and January 6.