Sonko to Gift Ferdinand Omanyala a Limousine After Stunning Commonwealth Games Victory

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has promised to gift Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala a limousine for winning Kenya’s first gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Through Twitter on Thursday, Sonko congratulated Omanyala for his achievement, saying that he will organize a grand reception for the speedster once he lands in the country, with 15 limousines picking him up at the airport.

“Pongezi sana na serikali ikikubali nitakupangia sherehe kubwa ya kukulaki na limousines 15 zikupokee na nikufanyie sherehe ya 10 days na nikupee limo moja bure iwe yako. Twakupenda sana for making us proud,” Sonko wrote on Twitter.

The 26-year-old Africa’s fastest man clinched gold in the men’s 100m final in 10.02 seconds ahead of Akani Simbine of South Africa (10.13 seconds) and Sri Lankan Yupun Abeykoon, who settled bronze in 10.14 seconds. 

President Kenyatta termed Omanyala's win as a groundbreaking achievement for Kenya, an athletics powerhouse that is not renown for prowess in short races.

"It was super exciting to watch Ferdinand win the 100m dash in style and earning our country her first gold medal in Birmingham. The win is a groundbreaking achievement not just for Ferdinand but for the whole of Kenya's athletics because he has excelled in a domain that's not traditionally ours," said Uhuru.

Omanyala’s win makes him the first Kenyan sprinter in 60 years to finish first in the men’s 100m at the event after Seraphino Antao in 1962 when the event was still run over 100 yards.