Kenya on Sunday evening emerged as the overall winners of the five-day Africa senior Athletics championship that ended at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The host nation ended the final day with 25 medals _ 10 gold, seven silver and eight bronze. South Africa got 19 medals and Nigeria took 18.

Ethiopia’s Sofia Abebe Assefa denied Kenya a clean sweep in the women 3,000m steeplechase race as she scooped silver behind Kenya’s winner Milcah Chemos on the final day.

The Nyayo stadium was also rocked to its foundations as Edwin Soy spearheaded a Kenya podium sweep in the men’s 5000m, completely turning the tables on arch rivals Ethiopia who achieved the same feat two years ago in Addis.

Former Kenyan World champion Janeth Jepkosgei finished second in the women’s 800m race that was won by Zahra Bouras of Algeria.

Just when it looked like Jepkosgei was going to take the race, Bouras came from virtually nowhere to outsprint the Kenyan to clinch silver in 2.00.22.

Benin will host the next edition of the championships in 2012 if they can confirm the backing of their government within one month.

Joseph Kimani