Sports

Kenya’s mixed 4x400m relay team sets new African record in Gaborone

Luke Oluoch 02nd May, 2026 06:42 PM

Kenya’s mixed relay team qualified for the final of the mixed 4x400m at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, after running to an African record of 3:09.87 on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

The quartet of George Mutinda, Mercy Oketch, Kelvin Tonui, and Mercy Chebet emerged as second in their heat, finishing behind winners; Great Britain is a phenomenal show that screamed Kenya’s emergence as a rising force in the field and track relay event.

The Britons dominated the track with their impressive time of 3:09.69, assuring them of a world lead in the relays game.

Race Flow

George Mutinda opened the race, keeping the team in contention before handing over to Mercy Oketch.

Oketch, fresh from her blistering pace in the 2026 Kip Keino Classic performance, produced a sensational leg to surge into the lead, which Kelvin Tonui maintained.

Mercy Oketch wheels away to finish second in the the Women’s 400 m race. PHOTO/NOCK Olympic Kenya.

On the final leg, Mercy Chebet was overtaken by Great Britain’s Yemi Mary John in the closing stages, but the record-breaking time ensured a successful outing.

For Kenya, a standout performance consolidates their recent impressive run in the Lefika Relays, which saw them build on the success with a new African record of 3:09:87, making them the sole African who will head to the Sunday finals.

Stunning run

Kenya crossed the line ahead of a field boasting equally fancied rivals in Italy, France, and South Africa, with hosts Botswana finishing in seventh.

By finishing in the top two of their heat, Kenya secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, in addition to advancing to the finals.

The task, however, remains far from done as they seek to transform their recent run of form into a medal on Sunday as the curtains fall to the two-day event in the South African nation.

The team will be back on the track at 16:13 pm on Sunday, march 3, 2026, to step up their chase of the continental medal and a preferential lane seeding for the World Championships