Africa-Press – Kenya. Sprints coach Perpetual Mbutu, who will lead the Kenyan contingent to this weekend’s Lefika Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, has revealed that the main mission will be to secure qualification for the 4x100m mixed relay for the World Relays.
The World Relays are slated for May 2–3 at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone. Kenya has already qualified four teams for the World Relays: the men’s 4x100m (ranked 16th globally) and 4x400m (10th globally), alongside the mixed 4x400m (16th globally), all secured at the 2025 Guangzhou World Relays.
The women’s 4x400m relay squad (ranked 20th globally) also punched their ticket in July last year. For the Lefika showdown, coach Perpetual, who also doubles up as the head coach at Utawala Sprints Club, confirmed a strong travelling squad of 25 sprinters, backed by a technical bench of four coaches and a team manager.
“We have 25 athletes, four coaches and one team manager,” she said. She noted that the main focus will be on qualifying the mixed 4x100m squad for the global showdown in May.
“This meet will be about us looking for qualification to the World Relays,” Mbutu emphasised. “We have four teams that have already qualified; now we are pushing for the 4x100m mixed relay to join them.”
The 4x100m mixed relay charge will be spearheaded by Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala and seasoned campaigner Millicent Ndoro, joined by Boniface Mweresa, Meshack Babu, Eunice Kadogo and Lilian Aoko, adding depth.
Buoyed by the calibre of athletes at her disposal, the tactician exuded confidence in the squad’s ability to deliver swift baton exchanges and blistering splits.
“We are looking forward to the meet because we know we have good athletes,” she added. Beyond the mixed 4x100m, Kenya will field teams across the relay spectrum: men’s 4x100m and 4x400m, mixed 4x400m, and the women’s 4x400m.
The men’s 4x100m squad features Babu, Moses Wasike, Ronald Koech, Elkana Sabila, Dennis Mwai and Mweresa. David Sanayek headlines the men’s 4x400m unit alongside Danson Kibet, Erastus Mbaluka, Edward Opicho and Kipkorir Rotich.
In the mixed 4x400m, national 400m champion George Mutinda takes the lead, supported by Allan Kipyego, Kelvin Kipkorir, Mercy Oketch, Mercy Chebet and Ndoro.
The women’s 4x400m lineup comprises Mercy Jerop, Purity Joy, Naomi Mwangi, Hellen Syombua and Lanoline Aoko. Perpetual will be assisted by national sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki, Wellington Nyakundi and Mark Mutai, with Dimmy Kisalu serving as team manager.
