By KPC Reporter
Magdalene Chepchumba and Leah Sadera claimed 1,500m and 3,000m titles as rain disrupted events at the Kenya Universities Sports Federation Women Championships.
The championships are taking place at the Taita Taveta University grounds in Voi, Taita Taveta County.
Representing Kibabii University from Bungoma County, Chepchumba won the 1,500m title after clocking 4:31.1, beating Kisii University’s Ruth Manyasi (4:31.7) and Leah Sadera (4:35.2), who finished second and third.
After the race, Chepchumba said the competition was tough due to experienced opponents.
“I thank God for the victory after a long time of training. We are now aiming for the national championships at Kenyatta University,” she said.
The third-year student, focusing on the 1,500m, hopes to emulate triple Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon.
“I expect to win the national title and emulate Faith Kipyegon, who has been an icon and mentor to many of us. Even though we have never met, I follow in her footsteps and hope to be like her,” she added.
Sadera Bounces Back to Win 3,000m
After settling for bronze in the 1,500m, Sadera rebounded to win the 3,000m title, clocking 11:34.1. Kaimosi’s Daisy Cherono finished second in 11:52.2, with Daisy Cheptoo third in 12:02.2.
Sadera described her victory as perfect redemption.
“We came as a team to compete and winning means a lot to me. I have always wanted to represent my school and win, and I am happy I achieved that,” she said.
“The competition was good and I am now looking forward to the national championships.”
Sadera is a first-year Bachelor of Agricultural Education and Extension student.
Netball Final Set After Semifinals
Defending champions Kenyatta University will face Kisii University in the netball final scheduled for Saturday evening.
Both teams earned their spots with impressive semifinal wins: Kenyatta University defeated Embu University 60-19, while Kisii University edged Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 32-20.
Afternoon rains delayed the final.
Kisii assistant coach Ibrahim Oloo praised his team’s discipline and skill.
“The players believed in the patterns, movement and skills they were taught, which helped them outsmart the opponents. I liked the way they played and we hope to maintain such performance from the group stages,” said Oloo.
He noted the key contributions of shooters and defenders.
“This is something we started working on a long time ago and we are not done yet. We want to carry this momentum to the national championships,” he added.
Hockey: KU Struggles Without MMUST
In hockey, 2025 finalists Kenyatta University struggled in the absence of defending champions Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
KU played three draws: 0-0 versus Kisii University, 1-1 against Tharaka University, and 0-0 versus JKUAT.
Other matches included Maseno University defeating the University of Eldoret 3-1, UOE beating the University of Nairobi 1-0, and JKUAT edging Kisii University 1-0. UOE and Maseno played to a 0-0 draw, mirrored by Kisii versus Tharaka’s 0-0.
KAFU Dominates Ultimate Frisbee
Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU) emerged champions in Ultimate Frisbee, winning all matches in a round-robin format with four participating universities.
KAFU beat Kenyatta University 12-2, Maseno University 13-0, and University of Eldoret 13-4 to seal the title.
University of Eldoret finished second after defeating Maseno 4-3 and Kenyatta University 11-0. Kenyatta University placed third with a 6-5 win over Maseno, who lost all their matches.