Kenya Fields Strong Aquatics Squad for Africa Zone III Championships in Uganda
BY JEFF OLUBUYI
Kenya has officially commissioned a formidable national aquatics team for the Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships scheduled for October 21-26, 2026, at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU).
The six-day championships will bring together promising aquatic athletes from East and Central Africa at KISU’s eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, offering international exposure and an opportunity to compete against some of the region’s leading swimmers.
According to Kenya Aquatics, the delegation comprises approximately 64 pool swimmers, 20 masters swimmers, seven open-water athletes and nine water polo players, demonstrating the federation’s commitment to developing competitiveness across multiple aquatic disciplines.
During the official commissioning ceremony, Kenya Aquatics President Teddy Wamunyu challenged the athletes to uphold discipline, determination, sportsmanship and national pride while wearing Kenya’s colours.
Wamunyu expressed confidence in the team’s readiness. He said that the federation had assembled a competitive squad through a structured, independent selection process conducted by a national athletes’ selection committee to ensure deserving competitors earned places. He added that the athletes had received appropriate coaching and preparation.
He also acknowledged government support, particularly historic funding for the national water polo team, which has received government financing for the first time. The development marks a significant milestone in strengthening the discipline and expanding opportunities for athletes beyond conventional pool swimming, where sustained investment in coaching, competition structures, athlete development and international exposure remains essential.
Beyond medals and podium finishes in Kampala, Wamunyu noted that the championships would help identify and nurture athletes for higher-level international competitions, including the African Games in Egypt and the Youth Games in Mauritania. Performances will contribute to Kenya Aquatics’ assessment of potential candidates for future continental assignments.
Kenya will compete against hosts Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Djibouti, Tanzania and Somalia.
Under the entry regulations, Uganda can field up to four swimmers per event, while visiting countries, including Kenya, are limited to two.
The Kenyan delegation will be led by Team Manager Lilian Ndegwa, with Peter Karanja of Sailfish serving as head coach. His technical team comprises Joanne Lydia of Nakuru Aquatics, Kevin Beru of Uasin Gishu Aquatics, Paul Mungai of Kenya Water Polo and Abdallah Mansour, who will oversee open-water swimming. The composition brings together expertise from different aquatic disciplines and regional swimming structures.
Speaking to the media ahead of the championships, Ndegwa expressed confidence in the contingent, describing international competition as vital to accelerating athlete development. She observed that the event would enable competitors to measure their performances against regional opponents, gain international exposure, build confidence, understand the demands of international competition and identify areas for improvement.
Although the championships run from October 21-26, Ndegwa expressed optimism that the selected athletes would rise to the occasion throughout the five-day championships. She also reaffirmed Kenya Aquatics’ commitment to long-term competitiveness through investment in youth development, national championships, structured competitions and talent-identification programmes, creating pathways for emerging swimmers to progress to continental and international representation.
Among those selected are Amani Kariuki of Supermarlins, Christabel Muthui of Braeburn Swimming Club, Abdulkadir Abdulkadir of Mombasa Aquatics, Chris Mugo of Thika Swim Academy and Baraka Nyakundi of Aga Khan Academy Mombasa.
Others are Melissa Alala of Seahorses Aquatic Center, Gad Wema of Swimfitclassic Kisumu, Kamwelle Maina of NextGen Multi Sport Academy, Alma Ngaruiya of Sailfish Swim Club and Mohammed Hashim of Octopus Swimming Club.
The squad also includes Don Ndirangu of NextGen Multi Sport Academy, Dayo Mbugua of Seahorses Aquatic Center, Ryan Juma Wekesa of Swift Kids Club, Nygel Jayden of Thika Swim Academy and Vahkeinah Leboy of Torpedo, among others.
The selection reflects the contribution of grassroots programmes, private academies, clubs and regional aquatic associations to Kenya’s talent development. Athletes from Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu and Nairobi demonstrate the geographical diversity of the country’s swimming structures and the growing importance of club-based preparation.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s masters swimming squad will be spearheaded by swimming legends Salano Leland and Geoffrey Watene as the country seeks to assess its competitive depth and strengthen the progression of developing athletes into international competition.