Kenya is known across the world for its long-distance runners, particularly the marathon legends who seem to defy the limits of human endurance. But something quietly powerful happened at the recent World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. Kenya’s sprint relay team stood up and demanded to be seen.

Kenya’s performance was not just respectable. It was bold. It was a statement that the nation, and by extension African athletics, is no longer content with the old boundaries drawn between east and west, between endurance and speed. It showed that Kenya can compete not only on the long road but also on the short, explosive paths where seconds mean everything.

Among those leading this charge is Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man and one of the continent’s most vocal advocates for sprint development. His presence in the relay team brought not just speed but also credibility and confidence. Omanyala has long argued that Kenya’s sprint potential has been overlooked and underfunded, and his performance continues to prove the point.

Alongside him, new stars emerged. Mercy Chebet and Mercy Oketch, both just 22, were instrumental in securing bronze in the mixed 4x400m relay. Chebet, the national 400m champion, showed composure and consistency, while Oketch, who only recently transitioned from football to sprinting, impressed with her energy and raw potential. Zablon Ekwam, a 400m runner with a personal best under 45 seconds, brought power and experience to the men’s relay team. Wiseman Mukhobe, primarily a 400m hurdler, once again proved his versatility on the track.

For the African diaspora in the UK, many of whom grew up watching Kenyan flags rise during Olympic marathons, this shift is refreshing and deeply symbolic. It suggests a generation unafraid to expand the national sporting identity and push beyond what the world expects of them. Sprinting has often lived in the shadow of Kenya’s long-distance dominance, but this new wave of talent is showing that sprinting has a rightful place in the nation’s sporting future.

What they need now is support from national sports bodies, private sponsors, and from us in the diaspora. The energy and expertise we hold abroad can help elevate these athletes further. Sport is more than competition. It is culture, pride, and global perception. Kenya’s emergence on the sprinting stage is not just about medals. It is about reshaping how we see ourselves and how the world sees us.

Let’s not miss the chance to support this new generation.

Opinion: Kenya’s relay team signals a new era in African sprinting