Rift Valley region are the champions of Primary Schools Athletics with historic 511 points.
Western region emerged second with overall 315 points and Nyanza third with 281points. Central region came in fourth with 130points, Coast fifth (127 points), and Eastern sixth (104 points). Nairobi and North Eastern regions tailed with 23 and 15 points respectively.
Rift Valley region’s Emanuel Kiprono from Elgeyo Marakwet won the boys 5,000 metre and 1,500 metre races as National Primary School Athletics Games came to close at William ole Ntimama Stadium.
In the 5,000 Meters race, Kiprono stunned spectators as he bolted with a constant speed to win at 15:17.55 times ahead of his Rift Valley colleague Emanuel Kipkurui from Kiletien Primary School in Transmara East Sub-County in Narok County.
Kiprono also won in the 1,500-meter boys’ race final in a time of 4:08.22 followed by his Rift compatriot Daniel Ndiema from Teldet Primary School who came second clocking 4:16.17. Nyanza region’s Kelvin Orangi from Oragare Primary school came in third posting a time of 4:23.04.
In the girls 1500-meter race, Rift Valley region won first and second position respectively, with Rehema Chekirui from Katet Primary school, running in a time of 4:41.85 and Sharon Chepkirui from Kingeru Primary school in 4:43.75. Western region’s Esther Chepchumba from Kaboriot primary school came third timing 4:58.20.
In 100 -meter race boys’ final, Samuel Chege from Narok in Rift-Valley region won timing11:09 seconds followed by Albert Oigo from Ekerubo Primary school in Nyanza region who clocked 11:96 second ahead of his team mate Brian Ochieng who (12:12).
However, in girl’s category, Western region through Selfa Ajiambo who hails from Nangina Primary School won with a time of 12:78. Mary Sofia from Rift Valley came second at 12:94 and Jacklyn Tianina from Rift Valley region came third with a time of 13:25.
Ajiambo is participating in the games as part of her build-up for upcoming Under-18 Confederation of African Athletics (CCA) in Lusaka, Zambia later this year which she has already qualified for.
In the 110-meter hurdles boys, Brian Kipruto from Father Toror Primary school in Rift Valley Region took first position followed by Western region’s Drick Sifuna from Machuele Primary school and Rift Valley’s James Njoroge from Kitale Forest Primary school.
Valentine Nekesa from Kambi Primary school in Rift Valley region won 100m girl’s hurdles with Nyanza’s Damachims Nyangwara from Rianchaga Primary School emerging second and Mary Akoth from Karosi primary school third.
In the 800-meter race, Mathias Kasaine from Narok County led followed by Levis Korir of Ramogo primary school also from Rift Valley region and Nyanza’s Daniel Gichane.
Governor Patrick Ntutu who spoke during the closure of the two-day event, thanked the organizers for choosing Narok County to host both regional and the national primary athletics games.
“So far, we have hosted the Governor’s Cup, now Primary athletics events; both Regional and National and soon we are going to host Kenya Water Companies Sports. Narok County has become a hub of sports in the South Rift Region lately,” said Ntutu.
Ntutu said that his administration was keen on creating a sustainable youth sports development in the county.
Also in attendance were the Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde, Ben Achieng, National chair in charge of Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association (KPSSA) and Peter Sang, the KPSSA Rift Valley Region Chapter, Members of County Assembly as well as County Executive Committee Members.
The top pupil’s athletes were awarded recognition certificates in the event, while the teams were awarded Trophies.
By John Kaleke
