Kenya’s Indoor Hopes Crushed with No Medals Won in China

Kenya’s struggles in indoor athletics were once again exposed as the national team left the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, without a single medal. The country’s final hope, Susan Ejore, fell short in the women’s 1500m, finishing fifth with a time of 4:03.89, a result that summed up Kenya’s disappointing campaign.

Ethiopia dominated the event, with Gudaf Tsegay setting a championship record of 3:54.86 to take gold, while Diribe Welteji (3:59.30) secured silver. Great Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell claimed bronze in a personal best time of 3:59.84, further proving that the gap between Kenya and top indoor runners continues to widen.

Ejore’s failure meant Kenya ended the competition empty-handed after a disastrous penultimate day. Cornelius Kemboi, the African Games 5000m bronze medalist, finished eighth in the men’s 3000m, despite running a personal best of 7:49.00. In the women’s 3000m, 2019 World Mountain Running champion Purity Gitonga also finished eighth, clocking 8:44.56.

This performance is a stark reminder that Kenya remains woefully unprepared for indoor championships. Unlike their Ethiopian rivals, who have adapted to the demands of indoor tracks with tighter turns and different pacing strategies, Kenyan athletes continue to struggle due to a lack of exposure, training facilities, and a structured approach to indoor racing.

At last year’s edition in Glasgow, Kenya managed just one bronze medal. This proves a worrying trend that has now worsened. It’s clear that unless Athletics Kenya invests in indoor athletics, the country will continue to show up at these events only to be humbled.

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