Rift Valley region aims for clean sweep as athletics begin today

Ibrahim Bomua of Mombasa (left) with Evans Katamu of Kakamega. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

All eyes will be on athletes from Rift Valley region as the inter-county games enter day four today in Mombasa.

Athletics is expected to start today morning with both men and women 5,000m walk race and culminate with 4x400m relays.

Athletes from Nandi, Baringo and Uasin Gishu are expected to continue with their dominance in athletics if their previous record is anything to go by.

In chess, which is being held at Masaai Hotel, Makueni seemed to have mastered the sport well after keeping their unbeaten record intact.

Makueni hit Kisii 3-1 and Muranga 4-0, before rounding it up with a 4-0 win over their neighbours Kitui County.

In netball, Vihiga County became the hitting girls after they lost 22-0 to Busia and 18-1 to Kilifi County. Makueni defeated Busia 15-11 in a closely contested match at Shanzu Teachers Training College.

In men's volleyball, Trans Nzoia floored Tana River 2-0 before they defeated Baringo 2-0. In women's volleyball matches, Nairobi defeated Siaya 2-0, Nandi hit Laikipia 2-0, while Elgeyo Marakwet stopped Kakamega 2-0 in another match. Kericho beat Nakuru 2-0, Kitui silenced Laikipia 2-1 while Baringo hit Kisumu 2-0 in other fixtures.

In football, Mombasa maintained their unbeaten run after humiliating Kisii 7-0 with Turkana stopping Machakos 5-1.  Mombasa drew 2-2 with champions Kakamega to qualify for the quarter finals.

In the last match yesterday, Mombasa upset Kakamega 1-0 with Tudor Ward MCA Tobias Samba scoring the all-important goal. In other matches, Kericho stunned Machakos 6-0, while Nyamira drew 1-1 with Kiambu.

Homabay beat Kilifi 1-0, Kwale thrashed Muranga 8-0, while Vihiga beat Nandi 3-0.

In pool, Kennedy Karuku won his last match to enable Kiambu beat Elgeyo Marakwet 3-2.

The games, which were not held last year due to Covid-19 pandemic, has 21 disciplines.