Kenya arrives at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with 15 medals from the three previous Summer editions: eight gold, three silver and four bronze. Every one came from athletics.
A selection list published on 24 October names 56 athletes across 13 sports, more than double Kenya’s previous largest Summer Youth Olympic squad of 24 at Nanjing 2014. An earlier announcement reported 53 athletes, so the final accredited delegation remains subject to confirmation.
The Games will run officially from 31 October to 13 November 2026, although Baseball5 competition begins a day earlier, on 30 October. Athletics is scheduled for 8–10 November.
The occasion is significant for Kenya and the continent. As explored in our earlier article, Africa’s First Olympic Games and Kenya’s Part in It, Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic sporting event held on African soil.
Where Are the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Being Held?
The Games will take place across three locations in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
Dakar, the capital, will host athletics at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop, alongside sports including rugby sevens and futsal. The Complexe Tour de l’Œuf will stage Baseball5, swimming and 3×3 basketball, among other competitions.
Diamniadio will host indoor sports including boxing, fencing and judo at the Dakar Expo Centre. It will also accommodate the Youth Olympic Village at Amadou Mahtar Mbow University.
Saly Beach West, on Senegal’s Atlantic coast, will host beach handball, beach wrestling, beach volleyball and triathlon, among other events. Road cycling will use Corniche West in Dakar.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, 31 October, at Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio.
According to Seneweb’s report of the organising committee’s ceremonies briefing, the ceremony will run from 18:30 to 20:00 Senegalese time, corresponding to 21:30–23:00 East Africa Time.
Senegal operates on UTC, while Kenya is three hours ahead at UTC+3. Kenyan viewers should therefore add three hours to times published in Senegalese local time, unless a schedule already displays their own time zone.
Dakar 2026: When Will Kenyan Athletes Compete?
Kenya’s reported selection covers 13 sports, with competition spread across most of the Games.
The following is an advance guide to the scheduled competition dates. These are sport-wide dates, not confirmed appearances for individual Kenyan athletes.
| Sport | Scheduled competition dates |
|---|---|
| Baseball5 | 30 October–3 November |
| Rugby sevens | 1–3 November |
| Swimming | 1–6 November |
| Judo | 1–3 November |
| Wushu taolu | 1–3 November |
| Triathlon | 5–6 November |
| 3×3 basketball | 6–9 November |
| Beach wrestling | 7–8 November |
| Boxing | 7–12 November |
| Athletics | 8–10 November |
| Road cycling | 8 and 10 November |
| Fencing | 8–13 November |
| Beach handball | 9–13 November |
Competition dates and session times may change. Readers should consult the official Dakar 2026 competition schedule and results for the latest programme, confirmed entries and results.
Athletics: Kenyan viewing times
Athletics is scheduled for Sunday, 8 November, through Tuesday, 10 November, at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop in Dakar.
The programme includes the 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m and 2,000m steeplechase, among other track and field events.
The following table highlights selected middle- and long-distance events using the timetable approved by the World Athletics Council in December 2025. Inclusion here does not mean Kenya has a confirmed entrant in every event.
These are provisional event times, not confirmed start times for individual Kenyan athletes. AoK has not verified the final runner-to-event assignments or reconciled these advance times with the latest Games timetable. Check the official schedule before watching; a place in a semi-final does not guarantee a place in the final.
| Date | Event | Dakar time | Kenya time (EAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 8 November | Girls’ 800m semi-finals | 14:53 | 17:53 |
| Sun, 8 November | Boys’ 3,000m final | 16:25 | 19:25 |
| Sun, 8 November | Girls’ 2,000m steeplechase final | 16:48 | 19:48 |
| Mon, 9 November | Boys’ 2,000m steeplechase final | 10:05 | 13:05 |
| Mon, 9 November | Girls’ 3,000m final | 10:25 | 13:25 |
| Mon, 9 November | Boys’ 800m semi-finals | 10:50 | 13:50 |
| Mon, 9 November | Boys’ 1,500m final | 11:48 | 14:48 |
| Mon, 9 November | Girls’ 800m final | 12:35 | 15:35 |
| Tue, 10 November | Boys’ 800m final | 12:15 | 15:15 |
| Tue, 10 November | Girls’ 1,500m final | 12:45 | 15:45 |
The opening athletics session is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Senegal, making it an evening programme for Kenyan viewers. Monday and Tuesday’s sessions are scheduled for the morning in Dakar and the afternoon in Kenya.
Where to watch Dakar 2026 in Kenya
Olympics.com and the Olympic Channel are expected to provide live digital coverage of the Games in English and French.
Broadcast Media Africa reports that the Olympic digital streams will be available without geographical restrictions.
For Kenyan viewers, Olympics.com is therefore an important starting point for live coverage and event highlights.
The availability of a dedicated Kenyan television broadcaster, as well as live coverage of every Kenyan appearance, has not been independently confirmed.
Kenya’s Published Dakar 2026 Squad
The most recent detailed selection list available to AoK was published by The Eastleigh Voice on 24 October 2026.
It contains 56 names across 13 sports, including athletics, swimming, rugby sevens, beach handball, Baseball5 and basketball 3×3.
The selection is notable for the number of athletes representing team sports. Rugby sevens accounts for 13 names, beach handball 10, Baseball5 eight and 3×3 basketball six.
Together, those four sports account for 37 of the 56 published names, approximately two-thirds of the selection.
Published selection by sport
| Sport | Athletes named |
|---|---|
| Athletics (7) | Abigael Kosgei; Abigael Chepkirui; Faith Cherotich Rono; Cecilia Wainaina; Wesley Kiplangat; David Sekento; Enock Tuitoek |
| 3×3 basketball (6) | Scholasticah Amuhaya; Mbo Apiyo Fumbula; Rihanna Nyalando; Brenda Ochieng; Chelsea Onamu; Vivian Ratemo |
| Rugby sevens (13) | Everlyne Afande; Mitchelle Chemtai; Zain Hido; Josephine Kerubo; Micheal Mmboga; Elizabeth Naliaka; Shaheen Sada; Diana Wanjiku; Scovia Achieng Odhiambo; Joy Wanja Murigi; Christie Wanjiku Kamotho; Lillian Maneno Ngome; Bridgit Lihanda |
| Beach handball (10) | Phelesia Asami Amaya; Sheryl Akinyi Juma; Dorcus Kigasia; Angela Otieno; Neema Chizi Chembe; Pauline Achieng Musaa; Mercy Naswa Wanyonyi; Lilian Mwaka Charo; Mary Achieng Abogi; Grace Bahati Simiyu |
| Baseball5 (8) | Ivon Kaiga; Kelly Omondi; Judith Kitu; Shantel Lucianah; Winfridah Msavi; Dancan Odhiambo; David Odhiambo; Polycap Owino |
| Swimming (4) | Macrine Kalombo; Isabelle Mwangi; Neo Olengo; Jeremy Mutwii Rieck |
| Beach wrestling (2) | Calvin Omweri; Jemimah Wanjala |
| Boxing (1) | Ella Demesi |
| Judo (1) | Rael Imasia |
| Road cycling (1) | Abbonizio Luca |
| Fencing (1) | Aliyah Makena |
| Triathlon (1) | Robert Robin |
| Wushu taolu (1) | Wairimu Winfred Mukami |
Names retain the spellings in the published selection. This is a selection list, not a verified register of accredited competitors; individual entries and reserve status remain to be confirmed.
Citizen Digital reported 53 athletes on 16 October. A separate school-release list reproduced by Education News Hub also contained 53 names. The later 56-name list includes three additional athletes: Ivon Kaiga in Baseball5, and Neo Olengo and Jeremy Mutwii Rieck in swimming. This accounts for the numerical difference between the published lists, but does not establish the final accredited delegation.
At a glance
Kenya's Summer Youth Olympic Record
Three completed editions, with every Kenyan medal won in athletics.
Singapore 2010
- Squad members
- 10
- Medals
- 6
Nanjing 2014
- Squad members
- 24
- Medals
- 5
Buenos Aires 2018
- Squad members
- 20
- Medals
- 4
Combined medal record
- Gold medals
- 8
- Total medals
- 15
AoK squad counts include the 2018 non-starter. Medal totals agree with Olympedia. The combined squad figure counts places across editions, not unique people.
Kenyan Athletes to Watch at Dakar 2026
Kenya’s historical Youth Olympic success has been built on middle- and long-distance running. Several athletes in the reported Dakar selection already have performances that merit attention.
David Kapaiko Sekento: World U20 silver medallist
David Kapaiko Sekento enters the Dakar selection with an established international achievement.
At the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, United States, Sekento won silver in the men’s 1,500m, recording a personal best of 3:38.32 in the final on 9 August.
The result placed him behind compatriot Wilson Chepkwech, who won gold in 3:37.46.
That experience of a global championship final makes him one of the Kenyan runners worth following in Dakar. His precise Youth Olympic event remains subject to confirmation through the final entries.
Enock Tuitoek: Progress in the 3,000m
Enock Tuitoek has shown promising form over 3,000m during the 2026 season.
At Kenya’s national trials for the World Athletics U20 Championships in May, he finished third in the men’s 3,000m, with a hand-timed result of 8:01.0h.
He subsequently won the event at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Nairobi in August, recording 8:01.67 ahead of Ethiopian and Ugandan opposition.
Dakar will offer a further opportunity to assess his development against a broader international field, should his entry in the event be confirmed.
Faith Cherotich Rono: A promising distance runner
Faith Cherotich Rono is another member of the reported athletics selection with an established performance to her name.
Citizen Digital reported that Rono won the women’s 3,000m at Kenya’s World U20 trials in Nairobi in May in 8:58.22, ahead of Mercy Chepng’eno Mageso in 8:59.00.
The performance earned Rono selection for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon.
That reported result makes her worth following, although her Dakar event remains to be confirmed. Her full listed name is retained here to distinguish her from other athletes with similar names.
Beyond athletics: Kenya’s Baseball5 team
Kenya’s Baseball5 team will be among the first Kenyan competitors in action, with the tournament beginning on Friday, 30 October.
Baseball5 makes its Olympic debut at Dakar, introducing a relatively young discipline to the Youth Olympic programme.
Kenya has been drawn in Group B alongside France, Mexico and Syria, whose place is represented by the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s refugee team.
The French Baseball and Softball Federation’s September preview listed France third and Kenya tenth in the world rankings, providing an indication of the competitive field.
The French federation’s published programme gives Kenya an opening match against France on 30 October at the Complexe Tour de l’Œuf in Dakar. The current fixture time has not been verified for this guide.
Beach handball and the wider Kenyan contingent
Kenya’s beach handball team is another selection worth following.
The women’s team secured qualification for Dakar through the global ranking pathway, joining Senegal and Tunisia among the African representatives.
Its participation extends Kenya’s presence into a discipline in which the country has no previous Summer Youth Olympic medal history.
More broadly, the inclusion of swimmers, wrestlers, cyclists, boxers, fencers and competitors in other sports illustrates the breadth of Kenya’s reported delegation.
Kenya’s Record at Previous Summer Youth Olympic Games
Kenya has participated in all three completed editions of the Summer Youth Olympics: Singapore 2010, Nanjing 2014 and Buenos Aires 2018.
Across those Games, Kenya accumulated eight gold, three silver and four bronze medals, all in athletics.
The table below draws on AoK’s historical squad records and the country’s Youth Olympic medal record.
| Edition | AoK squad count | Sports | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore 2010 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Nanjing 2014 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Buenos Aires 2018 | 20* | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 54 squad places | Not additive | 8 | 3 | 4 | 15 |
AoK’s 2018 squad count includes swimmer Maria Chantal Brunlehner, who did not start. Olympedia records 19 competitors for that edition. The distinction between squad membership and actual participation is retained in AoK’s historical records.
The figures reveal two notable patterns.
First, Kenya’s total medals declined from six in Singapore to five in Nanjing and four in Buenos Aires.
However, its gold-medal performance was more consistent. Kenya won three gold medals in 2010, two in 2014 and three in 2018.
Second, and more significantly, every Kenyan medal across the three editions came from athletics.
That concentration has remained unchanged despite Kenya’s participation in other sports.
Buenos Aires 2018: Three gold medals
Kenya’s most recent appearance at the Summer Youth Olympics produced four medals, including three gold.
The gold medallists were:
- Edinah Jebitok: Girls’ 1,500m / cross country
- Fancy Cherono: Girls’ 2,000m steeplechase / cross country
- Jackson Kavesa Muema: Boys’ 3,000m / cross country
Mercy Chepkorir Kerarei won silver in the girls’ 3,000m / cross country.
The 2018 competition format requires some explanation. Several distance events combined performances from a track race and a cross-country race, with the overall standings determining the final medals.
Consequently, these results should not be interpreted as medals awarded solely on the basis of one track final.
Readers can explore the individual editions, results and athlete records in AoK’s Summer Youth Olympic Games archive.
How Does the Dakar 2026 Selection Compare?
The reported Dakar selection represents a substantial expansion in Kenya’s Summer Youth Olympic participation.
The previous largest squad was the 24-member delegation at Nanjing 2014, where Kenya competed in athletics, rugby sevens and weightlifting.
At Buenos Aires 2018, AoK records 20 squad members across athletics, hockey 5s and swimming, although one swimmer did not compete.
Dakar’s reported 56-name selection covers 13 sports.
Kenya’s athletics selection contains seven names, compared with seven at Singapore 2010, 11 at Nanjing 2014 and 10 at Buenos Aires 2018.
The larger overall delegation therefore does not represent a corresponding increase in athletics numbers.
Instead, the expansion is largely attributable to participation in additional sports, particularly team competitions.
The mix of sports also matters when comparing medal performances. A team sport may require several athletes to compete for one medal, while an individual athletics programme can offer multiple medal opportunities across different events.
Overall medal totals, therefore, should not be assessed solely against the size of the delegation.
The gender balance is another change worth noting. Citizen Digital’s earlier 53-athlete announcement described 43 girls and 10 boys. By comparison, AoK’s squad records count five girls and 19 boys in 2014, and six girls and 14 boys in 2018, including the non-starter. The gender breakdown of the later 56-name selection has not been verified.
For Dakar, a medal in any sport outside athletics would represent Kenya’s first non-athletics medal at the Summer Youth Olympic Games.
Even without a medal, competitive performances and continued participation in these disciplines could provide a foundation for future development.
Why Dakar 2026 Matters for Kenya and Africa
Dakar 2026 is a historic occasion for African sport.
Senegal was elected to host the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games on 8 October 2018, becoming the first African country awarded an Olympic sporting event.
The Games were initially scheduled for 2022 but were postponed to 2026 following disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The postponement has created an eight-year interval since Buenos Aires 2018, rather than the four-year cycle that separated the first three editions.
For an event reserved for young athletes, that interval is particularly significant. Athletes who aged out during that interval missed the opportunity to compete at a Summer Youth Olympics.
The Games will bring approximately 2,700 athletes to Senegal, competing across 25 sports.
They will also provide educational, cultural and professional development opportunities beyond competition.
Among these initiatives is the International Olympic Committee’s Young Reporters Programme, which was developed to provide sports journalism training to 16 young reporters from six African countries, including Kenya.
A separate Refugee Olympic Team with Kenyan connections
Dakar will also feature the first Refugee Olympic Team to compete at a Youth Olympic Games.
The six-member team, supported through the Olympic Refuge Foundation and other Olympic partners, prepared for the Games at a training camp in Kaptagat, near Eldoret.
Its athletes will compete in athletics, judo and taekwondo.
Several members of the team are hosted by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, while others are hosted by Uganda.
Although Kenya has played a role in their preparation, the refugee athletes represent the Refugee Olympic Team. Their results are separate from those of Team Kenya.
Their participation adds another dimension to the significance of Dakar 2026, particularly for the African countries supporting young athletes displaced from their homes.
Kenya’s previous Summer Youth Olympic medals all came from athletics. Dakar’s broader selection gives the country more sports to follow, while the runners seek to add to a record of eight gold medals across three editions.
For supporters in Kenya, competition begins on 30 October. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 21:30 EAT on 31 October, and athletics runs from 8 to 10 November.
Information checked on 29 October 2026. The squad is a published selection, and the detailed athletics times are provisional. Entries and schedules may change; consult the official Games schedule for the latest information.