The Kenya Cycling Federation (KCF) is set to name the national team for the 2026 Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Road Championships in Kisumu. An event in Murang'a this weekend will guide the selection process. This will be the third consecutive year Kenya hosts the continental showpiece, after Eldoret in 2024 and Kwale in 2025. Murang'a has previously been used by KCF for national team trials.
The Murang'a trials will feature various categories, including elite men's and women's races over 85km and 65km respectively. Under-23 men's and women's races over 85km and 65km will also be held. Additionally, youth and junior boys and girls will compete over 35km and 40km respectively. The top 10 riders in each category will be selected to form the national team.
Jackline Wairimu, the event organiser, stated that the selection event is open to all cyclists in Kenya. The goal is to select the best riders to represent the country in Kisumu. Wairimu confirmed that the federation has conducted a recce of the course to ensure a smooth event. The county government and traffic police have been involved in preparations to guarantee rider safety.
The 2026 CAC Road Championships in Kisumu will feature over 300 riders from more than 30 countries. The event will span 15 categories, including junior, under-23, and elite fields for men and women. The programme includes individual time trials, a mixed team relay, and road races. The women's elite and under-23 race will cover 122.2 kilometres, while the men's race will be 175.2 kilometres.
Kenya's past performances in the continental championships have been challenging. Prior to Eldoret 2024, no Kenyan had finished on the podium or featured among the leading riders. In Kwale 2025, Eritrea dominated the junior, under-23, and elite men's titles. Kenya's best continental result remains Nancy Akinyi's bronze in the women's cross-country marathon at the 2019 African Games.
The sport is growing in Kenya, with significant government investment in previous events. The investment reached Sh400 million for Eldoret and Sh250 million for Kwale. Sports CS Salim Mvurya promised gold medallists would receive boosted prize money, potentially becoming "millionaires". KCF staged its first road national championships this year, and Kenya fielded six track cyclists at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
With home roads and a competitive selection process, Kenya has its best chance yet to make an impact in the championships. A podium finish would be historic, but a realistic target is more top-10 finishes. The Murang'a event will provide a crucial platform for riders to showcase their skills and secure a spot in the national team.
Key points
- The Kenya Cycling Federation will select the top 10 riders in each category to form the national team for the 2026 CAC Road Championships.
