Kenya's Para Athletics Rising Stars: Building on the Paris 2024 Legacy

Kenya's performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics was the country's best in history — three gold medals, two silver, and one bronze across athletics events. But perhaps more importantly, the success has catalysed a transformation in how Kenya supports and develops para athletes. Two years on, the impact is visible at every level of the sport.

The Paris effect

Before Paris, Kenyan para athletics received minimal funding and media attention. Athletes trained largely on their own, often without proper coaching or equipment. The success in Paris — particularly Nancy Chelangat's gold medal in the T11 1500m and Wilson Bii's double gold in the T46 800m and 1500m — captured the nation's imagination. Corporate sponsors who had never previously engaged with para sport came forward, and the Kenya National Paralympic Committee saw its budget increase by 300% for the 2025-2028 Olympic cycle.

Rising stars to watch

A new generation is emerging. Grace Wanjiru, 22, has already broken the African record in the T47 100m and won gold at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe. Her explosive speed and determination have made her the face of Kenyan para sprinting. In the field events, Joshua Kipkemoi has thrown over 40 metres in the F46 javelin, putting him in medal contention for LA 2028. Among visually impaired athletes, teenager Mercy Akinyi has posted remarkable times in the T12 800m that would have medalled in Paris.

Improved support structures

The Kenya National Paralympic Committee has established a dedicated high-performance training centre in Eldoret, where para athletes train alongside able-bodied athletes at the iconic altitude training facilities. A full-time coaching staff of six, including two international consultants, provides structured programmes tailored to each athlete's classification and event. Perhaps most significantly, a partnership with a Kenyan health insurer now provides comprehensive medical coverage for all national team para athletes — addressing one of the biggest barriers to sustained elite performance.

The road to LA 2028

With two years until the Los Angeles Paralympics, Kenya is targeting a top-20 finish in the athletics medal table — up from 28th in Paris. The qualifying pathway has already begun, with World Para Athletics Grand Prix events throughout 2026 and 2027 offering crucial ranking points. The home World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi in August will include para athletics exhibition events, giving Kenyan athletes the chance to compete in front of home fans.

A cultural shift

Beyond medals and rankings, the most important change is cultural. Para athletes are increasingly visible in Kenyan media, sponsorship deals, and school sports programmes. The narrative is shifting from one of sympathy to one of admiration and respect. Kenya has always been a nation that celebrates athletic excellence — para athletes are now rightfully included in that celebration. The Paris legacy is not just about what happened on the track in France; it is about what is happening in training grounds, schools, and communities across Kenya every day.