The two largely inexperienced runners will come up against a strong field, hoping to impress on home soil.
Esther Mbagari and Monica Safania will carry Kenya’s hopes in the women’s 100m at the Kip Keino Classic in which world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce from Jamaica is the hot favourite to retain her crown.
Mbagari and Safania will come up against experienced runners in the race in which they hope to clock good times that will put them in contention for selection for the World Championships.
07:30 - 10.05.2023
Kip Keino Classic: "No Covid-19 excuse!" - 'Hungry' Fraser-Price rallies fans to Kasarani
Jamaican sprinter will open her season in the Kenyan capital ahead of World Championship title defense.
Kenya Prison’s Mbagari clocked 12.00 at the fourth leg of the Athletics Kenya Track and Field meeting on April 1 before lowering her time to 11.50 at the fifth leg 14 days later, in a race Safania finished third in 11.70.
They, however, have a daunting task in the race as, besides Fraser-Pryce, there is Egyptian and Mediterranean Games champion Bassant Hemida whose personal best is 11.10, Belgian Rani Rosius (11.28), Teahna Daniels of the United States (11.00) and her compatriot Twanisha Terry (11.08) as well as Zoe Hobbs from New Zealand whose best time is 10.97.
19:09 - 09.05.2023
Laureus Sports Awards: Fraser-Pryce joins an elite league of eight athletes as Sportswoman of the Year
After six nominations in the past, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finally joins an elite league of eight track and field athletes as Laureus Sportswoman of the Year.
It leaves Fraser-Pryce as the only athlete with a sub-10.7 in the field, having clocked 10.67 to win both the World Championships and Kip Keino Classic last year.
Fraser-Pryce will open her season in Nairobi, just like last year, having withdrawn from the Botswana Grand Prix, where she had intended to begin her campaign, due to family commitments.
20:39 - 08.05.2023
'Mommy Rocket' Fraser-Pryce wins historic Laureus Sportswoman of the Year
After being nominated six times, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Her time in Nairobi was a Kenyan all-comers’ record and the fastest-ever season opener of any 100m sprinter in history and fans will be hoping to see much more this year.
“I’m feeling good to be on this body, definitely I feel like a 21-year-old, which is good but you know, not two years are ever the same,” the 36-year-old said upon arrival in Nairobi on Tuesday.
17:48 - 08.05.2023
Fraser-Pryce promises fast time at Kip Keino Classic in Kenya
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has assured she'll be running a fast time at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya this weekend.
“So, you continue to work and I chose that. You correct things in training and come and execute those things. Last year I built on that; on the experiences and the moments that I had into this year.”
Fans had expected a battle between the five-time world champion American sensation Sha'Carri Richardson but the 23-year-old will not be featuring in the race.