Inter-Parliamentary Games: How History Replayed Itself As Kenya Conquer Men’s 4x100m Relay

_{Hon Vincent Kawaya (Mwala MP) carried shoulder high after steering the Kenya men’s 4x100m team to victory at the Kenya Ports Authority Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on Monday December 9, 2024. PHOTO/ PARLIAMENT OF KENYA.}

MOMBASA, Kenya- On December 4, 2016 expectant Kenyans braved a hot humid morning to throng Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa to watch a very exciting race, the men’s 4x400m relay.

The Kenyan line up, in the contest which was part of the seventh edition of the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games, comprised of  David Ochieng (Ugenya MP), Kanini Kega( Kieni), Wesley Korir (Cherangany) and Dan Wanyama (Webuye).

The quartet brought the sporting arena to a stand still, with meteoric paces that left spectators in cheers and jeers.

Their good coordination and passing of the baton resulted into a glittering gold when they powered to victory in 57.6. Uganda (59.4) were second and  Tanzania finished third in 60.6.

_{Fans who thronged Mbaraki to watch the meteoric Kenya 4x100m men’s team PHOTO/ PARLIAMENT OF KENYA}

Fast forward, eight years later, same place, same time on Monday morning, with the only difference being a heavy downpour but the race had to proceed.

Led by Vincent Kawaya (Mwala), Josses Lelmengit (Emgwen), Charles Nguna (Mwingi West) and Benard Kitur (Nandi Hills), the Kenyan quartet breezed to the tape 53.7 to win the race in style in the 14th edition of the games.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) came second in 55.2, Uganda (56.5) were third while Tanzania ended a distance fourth in 57.4.

The two contests had peculiar similarities in that Kenya retained the 2016 gold in the race and secondly, both Wanyama and Kawaya won the contest while heading the Bunge Sports Club as chairmen.

_{The victorious Kenya 4x100m men’s squad. PHOTO/ PARLIAMENT OF KENYA}

I’m really so excited. I’m so elated with this victory. Actually, this is my first ever gold medal since I started taking part in the Inter-Parliamentary Games,” Lelmengit told Standard Sports.

” We are happy to have given Kenyans a perfect gift for Christmas. I want to appreciate all my colleagues for cultivating a high level team work in the contest, we had the strength, the collaboration and good passage of the baton which was amazing,” added Lelmengit who last year won silver in men’s 400m in Kigali, Rwanda.

Nguna too was so happy saying their focus now turns to men’s 4x400m and men’s 200m categories set for the venue on Friday.

“We have gone to the drawing board, and our mission is that we have to search for the elusive 4x400m relay gold, and yes we can clinch it,” underlined Nguna whose  plan is to feature in volleyball in the next edition of the regional games. While savoring the victory Kawaya stated:

 “Winning the 4x100m relay was a powerful warning to other countries that they can’t just come here and make away with the gold, we have to ‘scratch’ them a bit. Kenya is well known for its athletics prowess and one of the races we didn’t want to let go was this one. We are also out to retain the 4x400m relay on Friday,” Kawaya stated.

_{Hon Vincent Kawaya (Mwala MP) cruised to victory in men’s 4x100m at the Kenya Ports Authority Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on Monday December 9, 2024. PHOTO/ PARLIAMENT OF KENYA.}

Kawaya says the relay quarter is on fire as a result of their dedicated training every Tuesday and Thursday morning at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi ahead of the games.

So far, Kawaya is the only decorated Kenyan in the ongoing championships in Mombasa having also bagged silver in the men’s 100m category.

_{EALA Member of Parliament Hon Kanini Kega (Left) celebrates his men’s 4x100m silver medal with race champion Vincent Kawaya (Mwala MP) at the Kenya Ports Authority Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on Monday December 9, 2024. PHOTO/ PARLIAMENT OF KENYA.}

Men’s 4x100m final

1. Kenya  53.7

2. EALA 55.2

3. Uganda 56.5

4. Tanzania 57.4

Men’s 400m

1.Robert Ssekiitoleeko (Uganda) 1:01.3

2.Gitonga Mukunji 1:02.7

3.Simon Wokorach (Uganda) 1:02.5

Men’s 100m results

1.Benard Odoi (Uganda) 12.0

2.Vincent Kawaya 12.2

3.Patrick Ochan 12.6