Team Kenya begins its campaign at the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan, today, Saturday, 15 November 2025, with ambitions to solidify its status as a continental powerhouse and improve on its record-breaking performance from 2022. The games, running until Wednesday, 26 November 2025, hold special significance as they mark the 100th anniversary of the first international silent games held in Paris, France, in 1924.

A strong Kenyan delegation of 180, including athletes, officials, interpreters, and medical staff, will fly the nation's flag. The team has been in an intensive residential training camp at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi since Saturday, 19 October 2025, to prepare for the global event. The contingent is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo in staggered batches, with departures from Nairobi that began on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, and continued through Friday, 14 November 2025.

Reduced Disciplines, High Expectations

Despite high hopes, Kenya's representation has been scaled back due to financial limitations. The nation will compete in five disciplines: the traditional stronghold of athletics, women's basketball, men's handball, golf, and swimming. Initially, Kenya had planned to send teams for 12 disciplines, but seven squads—women's football, bowling, badminton, tennis, table tennis, cycling, and women's volleyball—were dropped from the final travelling party due to budget constraints. This decision drew scrutiny from the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, which questioned the fairness of the selection process and the adequacy of funding for deaf sports.

The government, through Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, has reaffirmed its support for the team. In a significant move to motivate the athletes, the Ministry of Sports announced a lucrative reward scheme for medalists, matching that of their Olympic and Paralympic counterparts. Gold medal winners will receive KSh 3 million, silver medalists KSh 2 million, and bronze medalists KSh 1 million. This incentive is expected to fuel the drive for podium finishes.

Building on a Legacy of Success

This marks Kenya's eighth appearance at the Deaflympics since its debut in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1997. The nation has consistently improved its standing, culminating in its best-ever performance at the 24th edition in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, in 2022. There, Team Kenya topped all African nations and finished 11th globally with a remarkable 24 medals: five gold, seven silver, and 12 bronze. This surpassed their previous strong showing in 2017 in Samsun, Turkey, where they secured 16 medals (five gold, five silver, six bronze) to finish ninth overall and first in Africa.

The athletics team is once again expected to be the bedrock of Kenya's medal hunt. Key athletes to watch include 2022 10,000m silver medalist Serah Wangari Kimani and Linet Nanjala, who won bronze in the 400m and silver in two relays in Brazil. In golf, Isaac Makokha, a bronze medalist from the 2022 games, will be aiming for the top prize. The men's handball team faces a tough challenge, drawn in a group with defending champions Croatia, Serbia, and France. The women's basketball team is also in a competitive group alongside Lithuania, Italy, and Australia.

Global Context and Local Impact

The Tokyo Deaflympics will bring together an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 athletes and officials from approximately 80 nations, competing across 21 sports. The opening ceremony is set for the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. For Kenya, a strong performance in Tokyo is not just about medals; it is a crucial platform for promoting inclusivity and highlighting the capabilities of deaf athletes. As stated by CS Mvurya, the Deaflympics embody "the spirit of inclusion, equality, and empowerment," and the athletes serve as "role models of resilience, determination, and national pride." The team's journey and performance will be closely followed back home, serving as an inspiration for a new generation of hearing-impaired sportspeople across Kenya and East Africa.