Kenyan swimmers will seek to build on a bronze they won at the 2019 African Games in Rabat when this year's edition of the continental extravaganza starts in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday.
Coach Lydia Musei expects Imara Bella Thorpe, Sara Mose, Stephen Ndegwa and Swaleh Talib to give a good account of themselves when they make a splash in the five-day swimming competition.
Five years ago, Kenya won a bronze medal in the 4x100 medley relay courtesy of siblings Sylvia and Maria Brunlehner, Rebeca Kamau and Emily Muteti.
Musei believes they have what it takes to win more medals this time around.
"It's a very strong team with experience having swam in several regional and international events. We hope to win medals," said Musei.
The swimmers are delighted to swim again under the Kenyan flag after World Aquatics lifted the country's two-year suspension in November last year.
"The swimmers are happy to compete at the continental event and are keen to the country proud,” added Musei.
Thorpe will compete in the 100m butterfly, 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle.
Mose will compete in six events including 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle.
Talib will battle in the 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle
Ndegwa's hopes are in the 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.
The quartet will also team up in the 4x 100m medley relay and 4x 100 free relay.
Versatility will be key, observed Musei, adding: “The swimmers are well versed in the various disciplines. We will take one event with as well look to reach the finals."
Musei termed South Africa, Algeria and Egypt as the teams to beat.
"They were the top three teams in Rabat and are always top contenders in the history of the African Games.
Team Kenya's best performance at the Africa Games was Algiers 2007 when Jason Dunford won the 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly while his brother, David, won the 100m freestyle.
