Stalled Keringet training centre a monument of broken promises

A steady rhythm of pounding feet fills the air along the Molo-Olenguruone road as over 15 athletes navigate along the tarmac edge.

The group isn't competing with each other, but with the bustling traffic of vehicles and motorbikes loaded with potatoes and other farm produce from the fertile lands of this part of Nakuru County.

“Hey watch out, keep running along the edge," their coach Charles Ngeno calls out.

His voice is laced with both authority and concern, as he stands from a vantage point by the roadside watching his runners with a mix of pride and frustration.

Just a stone's throw away stands the stalled Keringet High Altitude Training Centre, a project that was once a beacon of hope for athletes, coaches, and the Keringet community.

Initiated in 2021, the centre was envisioned as a premier facility to harness the region-rich Athletic talent

With an initial investment of Sh 124 million, phase one was slated for completion in 10 months, encompassing the construction of an 8-lane running track, a standard pitch for field events, a generator house, ancillary facilities, borehole drilling and equipping, and a frontage perimeter wall, yet today, the site remains eerily silently safe for the sheep grazing.

Incomplete tracks, unfinished gates, and trenches left perilously open, the site is a stark contrast to the dreams of the sporting community who once envisioned themselves training on world-class grounds

“Having a proper stadium here would be impactful to our athletes, the current state of this stadium is disappointing," said Ngeno, who also serves as the chairman of the Nakuru County Coaches Welfare Association

Keringet, perched at approximately 2,800 metres above sea level, has been a cradle for world-class athletes. It is home to the world record holder Faith Kipyegon and Former world marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui.

“The training environment here naturally boots haemoglobin levels, giving athletes a competitive edge, everything is perfect for athletics here except for one crucial missing piece; a proper track," said Ngeno

Despite the area's rich athletics legacy, it lacks an adequate training facility, forcing athletes to seek alternatives far from home.

Training along the busy road exposes them to potential accidents, while sessions in the nearby Mau Forest increase the likelihood of injuries, setbacks that could derail their promising careers

“As upcoming athletes, we face many challenges, especially due to lack of training grounds, so we have to travel as far as Nakuru to get a good track for training but that comes at a cost," said Sharon Chepkorir, a budding 1500m runner.