Kenya eyes bigger splash after strong showing at Africa Open Water Championships

Team Kenya medallits at the African Open water championship in Momabasa Joseph Aryan, Samir Bachelani, Suleiman Mohammed and Joseph Hamaza/HANDOUT 

Buoyed by a promising performance at last week’s Africa Open Water Swimming Championships in Mombasa, Team Kenya have set their sights on becoming one of the continent’s top contenders in the discipline.

The Kenyan swimmers impressed at the continental event, earning bronze medals in the junior and senior mixed relays. 

With South Africa and Egypt dominating the individual events, Kenya’s breakthrough results signalled a growing presence in open water swimming — a discipline still relatively new to the country.

In the junior relay, Joseph Aryan Eve, Mohammed Hamza, Daniella Anderson and Pendo Anampiu combined to finish third behind South Africa and Egypt. 

Their senior counterparts — Suleiman Mohammed, Bachelani Samir, Victoria Okumu and Sera Mawira — also took bronze in their event.

Coach Fakry Mansoor believes these results mark the beginning of a new era for Kenyan swimming.

“We have shown talent, growth and great mental fortitude,” Mansoor said. “With more exposure and participation in top international competitions, we can close the gap on the continent’s leading teams.”

Kenya finished third overall in the senior standings with 33 points, behind South Africa (144) and Egypt (86). In the junior category, the team placed fourth with 26 points, while Egypt and South Africa again took the top two spots.

Despite missing the podium in the 3km and 5km individual events, Mansoor remains confident that continued experience will translate into medals in the future.

“It’s still a new concept for many of our swimmers,” he said. “But the hunger and potential are there — with more competition opportunities, we’ll be right up there with the best.”

Kenya fielded 13 swimmers at the event, which brought together athletes from nine countries, including Angola, Egypt, South Africa, Guinea, Mauritius, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and hosts Kenya.

Local Organising Committee chairman Heize Kahindo described the Mombasa event as a vital milestone for the growth of open water swimming in Africa.

“This championship has been an eye-opener in terms of competition, organisation, and logistics,” Kahindo said. 

“Africa needs more of these events to raise standards and inspire the next generation of swimmers.”