Kenya ends 14-year wait for African men’s 10,000m gold in Accra

Kenya finally reclaimed the African men’s 10,000 metres title after a 14-year drought, thanks to a brilliant performance by Kelvin Chesang at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday evening, May 13, 2026.

Chesang produced a strong finish to win the gold medal in a tightly contested race, clocking 28:30.44 to cross the line ahead of Ethiopia’s Hagos Eyob Gared, who settled for silver after posting 28:30.57. Fellow Kenyan Silas Senchura completed the podium positions after securing bronze in 28:32.66.

The victory marked a major milestone for Kenya, ending a long wait for continental glory in the men’s 10,000m race. The country last won the title in 2012 when Kenneth Kipkemoi triumphed during the championships held in Porto-Novo, Benin.

Chesang’s triumph highlighted Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running and provided Team Kenya with one of the standout moments of the championships in Ghana.

Mixed relays’ success

Elsewhere, Kenya also celebrated success in the mixed 4x400m relay after the quartet of Samuel Chege, Laoline Aoko, Dennis Masika and Maureen Najala combined to win bronze.

The Kenyan team clocked 3:17.94 to finish third behind champions Nigeria, who claimed gold with a time of 3:16.44. The podium finish added to Kenya’s growing medal haul at the continental event.

Earlier in the evening, Kenyan decathlete Edwin Too also impressed after clinching silver in the decathlon, capping a successful day for Team Kenya at the championships in Accra.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s strong performances across both track and field events underline the country’s determination to maintain its status as one of Africa’s athletics powerhouses as the championships continue in Ghana.

Team Kenya squad

100m Women

‎Millicent Ndoro

‎Lilian Aoko

‎Eunice Kadogo

‎100m Men

‎Ronald Koech

‎Mark Odhiambo

‎Moses Wasike

‎100m hurdles Women

‎Rukia Nusra

‎200m Women

‎Lilian Aoko

‎200m Men

‎Dennis Mwai

‎Ronald Koech

‎Elkana Sabila

‎400m Women

‎Mercy Chebet

‎Hellen Syombua

‎Maureen Wafula

‎400m Men

‎Kelvin Kiprotich

‎Dennis Masika

‎George Mutinda

‎400m hurdles Women

‎Gladys Ngure

‎Vanice Kerubo

‎400m hurdles Men

‎Kipkorir Rotich

‎Edward Ngunjiri 

‎800m Women

‎Vivian Chebet

‎Alice Ekiru

‎Pauline Ndusu

‎800m Men

‎Kelvin Loti

‎Laban Chepkwony

‎Brian Masai

‎1500m Women

‎Mary Ekiru

‎Faith Chebet

‎Vivian Chebet

‎1500m Men

‎Reynold Cheruiyot 

‎Brian Komen

‎Dominic Barngetuny

‎3000m steeplechase Women

‎Diana Chepkemoi 

‎Mercy Chepngeno

‎Mercy Mageso

‎3000m steeplechase Men

‎Peter Rono

‎Shadrack Too

‎5000m Women

‎Maurine Chebor

‎Joyline Chepkemoi

‎Cynthia Chepkurui

‎5000m Men

‎Denis Kemboi

‎Andrew Alamisi

‎Laban Kosgei

‎10000m Women

‎Diana Wanza

‎Mercy Mageso

‎Phenah Yego

‎10000m Men

‎Kevin Chesang

‎Silas Senchura

‎Mathew Kipkoech

‎20km race walk Women

‎Sylvaia Kemboi

‎Caren Simiyu

‎20km race walk Men

‎Samuel Gathimba

‎Stephen Ndangiri

‎High jump Women

‎Faith Kipsang

‎High jump Men

‎Asbel Kemboi

‎Long jump Women

‎Zeddy Jesire

‎Long jump Men

‎Isaac Kimunu

‎Triple jump Women

‎Martha Nyabuto

‎Faith Kipsang

‎Winnie Bii

‎Triple jump Men

‎Amos Mwendwa

‎Gilbert Pkemoi

‎Kevin Kiprono

‎Shot put Women

‎Belinda Oburu

‎Sarah Okumu

‎Discus Women

‎Caroline Cherotich

‎Hammer Women

‎Roseline Rakamba

‎Hammer Men 

‎Dominic Abunda

‎Javelin Men

‎Boniface Kilonzo

‎Alexander Kiprotich 

‎Julius Yego

‎Javelin Women

‎Caroline Odwory

‎Decathlon

‎Edwin Too