Gaborone 2026 World Relays: Day One program as Omanyala leads Team Kenya

Elite sprinters from across the globe have converged in Gaborone, Botswana, for the Debswana-sponsored 2026 World Athletics Relays Championships, scheduled to run over Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Team Kenya

Kenya has fielded a strong squad of 30 competitors who will take part in five out of the six disciplines, with Ferdinand Omanyala and Mercy Oketch spearheading the national team’s charge.

Home fans will be eager to watch Botswana’s star athlete Letsile Tebogo, who headlines a star-studded cast that also features Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson and South Africa’s Akani Simbine.

Leading the charge is Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, alongside experienced sprinter Millicent Ndoro. The duo is expected to anchor Kenya’s ambitions in both the men’s and mixed relay events, bringing speed and experience to a team that blends seasoned athletes with emerging talent.

Kenya will field five relay teams in Gaborone: the men’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, women’s 4x400m, and the mixed 4x100m and 4x400m relays. The selection reflects a strategic push to strengthen the country’s sprinting profile on the international stage.

In the men’s 4x100m and mixed relay pool, Omanyala is joined by Mark Otieno Odhiambo, Moses Wasike Onyango, Elkana Kiprotich Sabilla, Dennis Wangui Mwai, Meshack Kistubuli Babu, Ronald Kiprono Koech, Samuel Waweru Chege, and Steve Odhiambo Onyango.

The women’s 4x400m and mixed relay squad features Mercy Adongo Oketch, Mercy Chebet, Hellen Syombua Kali, Maureen Nanjala Wafula, Anne Mbatha Nzula, Margaret Naserian Tajeu, Gladys Muthoni Ngure, Purity Chepkoech Joy, and Lanoline Owino Aoko.

Meanwhile, the men’s 4x400m and mixed relay team includes Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui, Dennis Masika Mulongo, George Mutinda Mutuku, Kevin Kipkorir, Danson Kibet, Erick Kimathi, Joshua Ndombi, Kipkorir Rotich, and Erastus Mbaluka Musilu.

For the mixed 4x100m relay (female athletes), Millicent Ndoro is joined by Diana Lillian Awako Aoko and Eunice Kadogo Murandafu.

Ahead of the opening day, below is the full timetable of events, all listed in Kenyan time:

Day One programme

3:05 pm: Mixed 4x100m Relay – Round One heats

Kenya drawn in Heat 3

3:30 pm: Mixed 4x400m Relay – Round One heats

Kenya drawn in Heat 3

4:05 pm: Women’s 4x100m Relay – Round One heats

4:30 pm: Men’s 4x100m Relay – Round One heats

Kenya drawn in Heat 2

4:55pm: Women’s 4x400m Relay – Round One heats

Kenya drawn in Heat 2

5:30 pm: Men’s 4x400m Relay – Round One heats

Kenya drawn in Heat 2

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