Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Solomon Ayela Okeny, who long dreamed of leaving Kakuma Refugee Camp, participated in the African Championships in Accra and set a personal best of 52.40 seconds in the 400m. He described competing as both nerve-wracking and rewarding.
Okeny was part of the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team, which also included Abdifatah Aden Hassan, Kun Waar Liem, Perina Lokure Nakang, and Lokoro Dario. Hassan improved his 1500m time by over five seconds, finishing in 3:57.05 despite feeling unwell the day before. He credited a conversation with his coach, Janeth Jepkosgei, for helping him manage pre-race nerves.
Liem, in the 200m heats, ran 22.84 seconds and felt motivated by competing against some of Africa’s fastest sprinters, citing Zimbabwe’s Tapiwanashe Makarawu as inspiration. He said training and racing alongside these athletes gave him new focus.
Perina Lokure Nakang ran the 800m in 2:10.02 in challenging heat, marking her fourth major championship appearance after two World Athletics Championships and the Paris Olympics. She remains determined to improve, naming Faith Kipyegon as her role model.
Throughout the competition in Accra, the Athlete Refugee Team maintained strong bonds and supported each other across events.