KSh10m KCB Boost Lifts Kenya’s Commonwealth Trials and National Championships

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 15, 2026 — A KSh10 million sponsorship from KCB Bank has injected fresh momentum into Kenya’s athletics programme as the country prepares for a compressed and high-pressure selection event that will determine national champions and the Commonwealth Games squad for Glasgow 2026.

The funding package comes as Athletics Kenya merges three major competitions, the national championships, the AK Premium Series finale, and the Commonwealth Games trials into a single three-day showdown set for June 18–20 at Nyayo National Stadium.

Officials say the combined format is designed to strengthen competition standards while streamlining athlete evaluation ahead of one of Kenya’s most important international assignments of the year.

Selection rules, athlete depth and KCB perspective

KCB’s Public Sector Head Charles Nyangito said the sponsorship reflects both financial and structural support for a system that now covers more than 12,000 registered athletes across the country.

“We are serving a registered number of over 12,000 athletes as we sit here today,” Nyangito said.

He noted that Athletics Kenya has undergone significant institutional expansion in recent years, adding new governance and welfare structures aimed at improving athlete protection and long-term development.

“In the last five years, Athletics Kenya has expanded its departments… including safeguarding and climate issues, all geared towards supporting athletes,” he said.

Nyangito said the scale of investment reflects the demands of preparing a national team expected to compete against the world at the Commonwealth Games.

“It is about finance… this is a national duty aimed at bringing results that Kenyans always expect,” he said.

Trial format and Commonwealth Games selection

Athletics Kenya Seniour Vice President Paul Mutwii, speaking on behalf of the federation leadership, said the merged format was approved by the technical committee to reduce calendar congestion while increasing competitive intensity.

“Athletics Kenya is going to hold a very important occasion which will combine national championships and Commonwealth Games trials,” Mutwii said.

He added that athletes will compete across heats, semifinals, and finals, with performances directly informing selection decisions for Glasgow.

“We thought it was wise to bring the two events together because of congestion and the need to involve many athletes,” he said.

Mutwii confirmed that athletes are expected to report by June 17 for accreditation and issuance of competition bibs before the start of action.

“Athletes are expected to arrive by the 17th for accreditation and collection of running bibs,” he said.

Wide participation and Glasgow countdown

The championships will bring together athletes from all 12 Athletics Kenya regions, security agencies, universities, technical institutions, diaspora-based competitors, and invited regional teams from neighbouring countries.

Diaspora athletes based in the United States collegiate system, Europe, Japan, and the Middle East are also expected to feature, alongside refugee athletes competing under Kenya’s development programme.

Mutwii said the competition will serve as the final selection platform for a 49-athlete Commonwealth Games squad allocated under the National Olympic Committee of Kenya quota system.

“We will be selecting a team of between 49 athletes based on the quota provided by the NOC-Kenya,” he said.

Selection will be strictly performance-based, with winners earning automatic consideration—provided they meet anti-doping and eligibility requirements.

“The first athlete to cross the finish line will automatically be selected, provided they meet all requirements,” Mutwii said.

Athletes must also complete multiple out-of-competition tests conducted by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADA) or Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) before final confirmation.

After selection, the squad will be handed over to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya for accreditation, logistics, and Games management ahead of Glasgow 2026, scheduled from July 23 to August 2.

Nyangito urged stronger public and media engagement with athletics, saying the sport requires greater visibility and recognition for emerging talent.

“It is my passionate call to the fourth estate to give a chance to this activity coming this weekend,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of national attention on athletes before they reach global success, citing examples of champions who were previously unknown domestically.

“Many Kenyans did not know Odira before Tokyo,” he said.

As Kenya consolidates its domestic championships and international selection into a single competitive window, Nyayo National Stadium is set to become the decisive arena where national titles, careers, and Commonwealth ambitions converge.