Kenya Aquatics Boss Maureen Owiti Celebrates Rising Popularity of Swimming in Kenya
Kenya Aquatics President Maureen Owiti has lauded the growth of swimming in the country after a record 700 athletes and over 3,000 race entries participated in the 2026 Aquatics Long Course Swimming Championships at Kasarani.
By Ruth Sang
Kenya Aquatics President Maureen Owiti has praised the rapid growth of swimming in the country, citing the record-breaking turnout at the 2026 Aquatics Long Course Swimming Championships as evidence of the sport’s increasing popularity.
The three-day event held at the Kasarani Aquatic Complex attracted nearly 700 swimmers and registered more than 3,000 race entries, making it the largest national swimming championship ever staged in Kenya. Athletes from Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia also took part in the competition.
“We’re very excited because this is the biggest number we’ve had. We had almost 700 athletes competing in total, with more than 3,000 entries, the highest since we came into office,” said Owiti.
She attributed the growth to the federation’s commitment to organizing regular competitions, which has encouraged greater participation from swimmers and clubs. More than 80 clubs from East and Southern Africa participated, providing local athletes with an opportunity to compete against stronger regional rivals.
Owiti noted that the sport is also expanding at the grassroots level, with an increasing number of clubs and county competitions helping to nurture young talent and boost participation.
Despite the progress, inadequate swimming facilities remain a key concern for athletes. National swimmer Steven Ndegwa said improved infrastructure is necessary if Kenya is to compete consistently with Africa’s top swimming nations.
“We lack better facilities. Swimming in this pool is really cold, but we have to work with what we have. To progress, we need proper facilities that can help us reach the level of countries like South Africa,” he said.
His remarks mirror concerns previously raised by Kenya Aquatics officials over the condition and maintenance of major facilities such as the Kasarani Aquatic Complex, one of the region’s most important Olympic-standard swimming venues.
Even so, stakeholders remain optimistic about the future of the sport. Ndegwa said the emergence of new clubs and teams across the country demonstrates growing enthusiasm among young swimmers and coaches.
“There are many teams I never knew existed that are here today, and they’re all new. You can see the passion among swimmers and coaches. I’m excited about the next generation of swimming in Kenya,” he added.
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