NAIROBI, Kenya - Diana Wanza delivered a commanding performance at the Nairobi edition of the BingwaFest athletics showdown on Saturday, November 22, 2025, capturing gold in both the women's 10,000m and 5,000m races. The event, held at the Kasarani Annex, saw the 26-year-old athlete showcase her dominance and walk away with a combined prize of Ksh 550,000.

Wanza began her exceptional day during the morning session, clocking 33 minutes and 18.7 seconds in the 10,000m to claim her first victory. She finished comfortably ahead of Diana Chepkemoi, who timed 33:50.4, and Regina Wambui, who secured third place with a time of 34:00.0. The win in the 10,000m earned Wanza Ksh 300,000, while Chepkemoi and Wambui received Ksh 250,000 and Ksh 200,000, respectively.

Not content with one gold, Wanza returned to the track to compete in the 5,000m race, where she once again proved unbeatable. She crossed the finish line with a time of 16:04.2, adding another Ksh 250,000 to her winnings. Diana Chepkemoi again took the second position with a time of 16:31.5, while Mercy Jelimo finished third in 16:35.6.

“Today has been a good day for me and I am happy to have won both the 10,000m and 5,000m races,” Wanza stated after her double triumph. “I had trained well, and the body responded perfectly; my race execution was just like I had planned it. I look forward to the national finals.”

BingwaFest's Role in Kenyan Athletics

BingwaFest, a multi-sport competition organized by Betika through its Betika na Community initiative, aims to nurture grassroots talent across Kenya. The tournament travels through seven regions, offering a substantial prize pool and a platform for athletes in disciplines including football, basketball, rugby, and athletics. The Nairobi leg was the fourth in the second season of the event, with a total prize kitty of KES 17 million for the region. The initiative emphasizes gender equality by offering equal prize money for male and female athletes.

Men's Races and Other Events

The men's long-distance races also witnessed fierce competition. In the 10,000m, Anthony Kibiwot clinched first place with a time of 29:27.7, narrowly beating Silas Senchura, who finished in 29:28.0. Ernest Kimutai rounded out the podium with a time of 29:30.0.

In the men's 5,000m, Ezekiel Letaya took the top spot, clocking 14:00.8. He was closely followed by Gideon Kipngetich at 14:01.2 and Gerald Kipkemboi at 14:03.5.

The women's 1500m race was won by Judy Kemunto, who finished in 4:17.3. Pauline Muhonja Ndusu (4:23.5) and Diana Chepkemoi (4:28.3) secured second and third place, respectively, marking Chepkemoi's third podium finish of the day.

The event underscores the depth of athletic talent within Kenya and serves as a crucial stepping stone for athletes like Wanza who are aiming for national and international success. The focus now shifts to the BingwaFest national finals, where regional champions will compete for even greater accolades.