Kenya will send 40 swimmers to the CANA Zone 3 Championships in Rwanda from November 23-26

Kenya Aquatics president Maureen Owiti said Kenya has been allocated 52 slots by CANA. However, she said with the sport returning to normalcy following the election a fortnight ago, they may not send 52 swimmers as it's a self-sponsored event.

“The event has come too soon and with funding from government and other sources not reliable, we may have to send a small team of 40 swimmers to the event in Rwanda. I am confident the teams selected will make the country proud,” added Owiti. 

Last year, the country sent 43 swimmers and finished second in the event with 2768 points. The event held in Dar-es-salaam saw Tanzania top the table with 3061 points and Uganda placed third with 2521 points.

Owiti expressed confidence that the World Aquatics will soon lift the country's suspension ahead of the CANA Zone 3 championship as well as upcoming international events.

"I can't give you an exact date of when the suspension will be lifted but as the swimming fraternity, we hope we will be given an all-clear in the first two weeks of November," observed Owiti.

On selection criteria, Owiti said they will use the various county events happening across the country to prepare for Rwanda.

She said selection for the Rwanda show is ongoing with events already having been held in Nairobi, Kajiado, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu.

Owiti said Kenya will also be represented at the Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Mauritius in December and the World Swimming Long Course Championships in Doha in February 2024. 

She noted for the two championships, they will use the national trial results held last May in Kasarani

“We had national trials in May and the results were entered into the database and we will be looking at the swimmers who have met the qualification times for the events in Mauritius and Doha," she added. 

Owiti said with the new team on board, they will be taking swimming to the grassroots.

"We want to popularise the sport in the counties and some have already come up with good programs to reach the vulnerable communities.