Africa Cross Country champion Alfred Barkach will be seeking to defend his continental title when this year's edition set for Lome, Togo gets underway on April 8.
Barkach is among 36 athletes selected following Saturday’s national cross country championships cum trials held at the Ngong Racecourse.
World Under-20 cross country champion Beatrice Chebet leads the women's team following the withdrawal of Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist Stacy Ndiwa.
Athletics Kenya vice president in charge of competitions, Paul Mutwii, observed that the team is very competitive going by the performances of the individual athletes during the trials and the cross country circuit.
"This is a very strong team despite the absence of some of the top runners like Geoffrey Kamworor and Sheila Chelangat, who finished second and first in the senior men and women's races respectively," said Mutwii.
"We are used to winning at such championships and this will be no different. Despite the withdrawal of some of the top runners, we feel that this is a very strong team going by what we witnessed during the trials and the circuit."
The team is expected to report to camp at the Kigari Teachers' Training College, Embu County, on March 22 before traveling to Togo on April 6.
Line-up
6km U18 Boys
Vincent Kipchumba, Benson Sigei, David Mungai, Bernard Langat, Ismael Kirui, Franklin Maritim
5km U18 Girls
Naomi Kemboi, Marion Cheruiyot, Iscah Chelangat, Christine Chesiro, Gladys Chepkirui, Faith Kimutai
8km U20 Boys
Samuel Chebulei, Jacob Krop, Shadrack Kipchirchir, Gideon Rono, Emmanuel Kiplagat, Emmanuel Maruu
6km U20 Girls
Maurine Cherotich, Edina Jebitok, Agnes Jebet, Winnie Kimutai, Margaret Akidor, Deborah Chemutai
10km senior Women
Stacy Ndiwa, Joyce Chepkemoi, Emmaculate Anyango, Beatrice Chebet, Monica Chirchir, Margaret Chelimo
10km senior men
Kibiwott Kandie, Nicholas Kimeli, Alfred Barkach, Emmanuel Bett, Edwin Kiplagat, Edwin Kosgei
Team manager Ainsworth Maragara, assistant team manager James Seur, chaperone Ruth Keter, Georgina Nyambura, coaches Francis Kamau, Patrick Ivuti, Daniel Kororia, John Elium Nkanat.
