By PETER NJENGA 

Kipchoge Keino

History should have favoured Kenya when the athletics programme in the 8th All Africa Games ended last week in Abuja. But it didn't. After three weeks of competition, 15 of Kenya's 24 medals came from athletics. 

Unlike in 1965's inaugural Games when Kenya took a full track and field team to Brazzaville, this time the country only fielded athletes in selected mid and long distances.

Kenya has actually lost out in sprints and field events yet John Owiti won a silver behind Gaoussou Kon of Cote d'Ivoire in the 100m dash in Brazzaville. 

In the next edition in Lagos, Nigeria, John Mwebi won a bronze in the 100m and 200m although it was not until 1995 that another Kenya, Joseph Gikonyo, was to win a bronze in the longer sprint during the games of Harare, Zimbabwe.

Kenya also won its first 400m continental title in Brazzaville through Wilson Kipkurgut who also returned home with the 800m. Kip Keino who had earlier competed in the 1964 Olympics but failed to make an impression, won his first of many major titles with gold in the 1,500m and 5,000.

Other medallists were Kimaru Songok (400m), Cheruon Kiptalam (bronze javelin) 4x400m (silver), Ben Jipcho (silver, 3,000m steeplechase), Evans Mogaka (bronze, steeplechase) and Samuel Sang' (bronze, 400m hurdles). But first position eluded Kenya in the 10,000m. 

Between 1965 and 1973 when the Games were postponed several times, Kenya had in the meantime developed to being Africa's leading nation on the track especially in mid and long distance running. This was first attained in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico and confirmed in Munich four years later.

The athletes who performed well in Munich also represented the country in Lagos, Nigeria.

And like in the previous edition, in Lagos Kenya won medals from the 200m with Mwebi clinching bronze 100 and 200m; Charles Asati maintained Kenya's domination in the 400 and Cosmas Sielei the 800m. But Keino was beaten by Filbert Bayi of Tanzania in the 1,500m. Ben Jipcho won the 5,000m with Paul Mose taking the bronze.

Ethiopian Miruts Yifter beat Kenyans Mose and Richard Juma in the 10,000. Fatwell Kimaiyo won the 110m hurdles. John Mayaka took silver in the javelin and the men's 4x400m team won the relay.

But Kenya earned some measure of revenge with Jipcho leading compatriot Evans Mogaka in the 3,000m steeplechase, an event Kenya has won gold and silver and in some years the bronze as well. The women too were not left behind as Tecla Chemabwai won gold in the women's 400m while Mary Wagaki was beaten to second place in the 1,500m by Peace Kisiime of Uganda.

For the first time the Games were back on schedule in Algiers, Algeria in 1978. One athlete who had mesmerised the distance running world, Henry Rono, had just broken four records in distance running – in 3,000m, 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m. He easily demolished the opposition with victory in the 10,000m and 3,000m steeplechase. For the first time Kenya lost the 400m title and once again Bayi denied Kenyans glory in the 1,500m. Roles were changed with Daniel Kimaiyo relegating defending champion John Akii Bua of Uganda to silver in the 400m hurdles. Yohannes Mohammed of Algeria beat Mike Musyoki in the 5,000m.

Kimaiyo showed his true form again by winning the 110m hurdles, Elisha Kasuku, gold in the men's 20km walk while George Odera won a bronze in the javelin but Kenya was beaten to third in the 4x400m relay by Nigeria and Uganda.

Chemabwai won in the 800m followed by Florence Wanjiku.

After almost a decade, Kenya played host to the fourth edition of the games in Nairobi in 1987. Men winners were David Kitur (silver, 400m), Billy Konchellah (gold, 800m), Sisa Kirati (gold, 1,500m), Joseph Chesire (bronze, 800m), John Ngugi (gold, 5,000m), Paul Kipkoech (gold, 10,000m), Patrick Sang', Joshua Kemboi (gold, silver, 3,000m steeplechase), Shem Ochako (bronze, 400m hurdles), Simon Kipkemboi (gold, 200m), Gideon Yego (silver, 110m hurdles), William Sawe (gold, 20km walk).

The women had their biggest medal haul ever. Salina Chirchir took gold in the 1,500m, Francesca Chepkurui (800m), Susan Sirma (3,000m) and Leah Malot (10,000m), Agnetha Chelimo (5km walk), Elizabeth Olaba (shot put). Other medallist were: Martha Atieno (bronze, shot put), Seraphina Nyauma (silver, javelin), Florence Wanjiku (silver, 800m), 4x100m relay (bronze) and 4x400m (silver).

Full strength

The Nairobi games were effectively the last a full strength Kenya was represented. By 1991 the sport had become professional and most elite athletes shunned the games which do not have prize money. However, Samson Kitur won his first of two gold medals in the 400m, William Tanui (800m), William Kemei (1,500m). World junior champion Moses Kiptanui led compatriots William Mutwol and Johnstone Kemboi in the steeplechase.

Eric Keter which had earlier in the season became the first Kenya to reach the finals of the 400m hurdles at the world championships earlier in Tokyo, won his first major title. Thomas Onsano was the best in 10,000m. The Games of Cairo started to show Kenyans lack of seriousness.

In Brazzaville Kenya held its ground on both track and field. Things have gone from bad to worse. 

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