Clinton Aluvi’s dream is to become one of the fastest men in Africa and the world in 100 metres race.
Born on June 19, 2006 in Vihiga County, Aluvi is one of Kenya’s most promising young sprinters. His athletics journey started in 2023; he was a student at Kahuho Uhuru High School in Kiambu.
Before he discovered sprinting, Aluvi was an avid rugby and football player. He played as a centre forward in football and winger in rugby. His natural speed and agility in these sports did not go unnoticed.
Aluvi’s inspiration came from the African 100 metres record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala. “I admire Omanyala’s heart of helping others, his patience, and his leadership,” says Aluvi.
This admiration not only fueled his desire to emulate Omanyala’s success but also gave him the confidence to dream big. Two weeks ago, Aluvi etched his name in history after becoming the first Kenyan to win the men’s 100m title at the African Under-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Initially, his ambition was modest: to qualify for the Kenyan nationals.
But after achieving that milestone in 2024, his dream grew bigger. He now wants to break Omanyala’s national record of 9.77 seconds, that is also the African record.
Aluvi’s previous PB in 100m was 10.44, set during the Kenya national championships on June 26, in Nairobi. He lowered it by several microseconds in Abeokuta. His 10.37 time is the 11th fastest over the distance in the Africa U-20 Championships. Globally, the World U-20 men’s record of 9.89 is held by Issamade Asinga from Suriname.
Aluvi’s journey to greatness on track has faced many challenges. He struggled to afford proper running spikes, but Omanyala stepped in, providing him with his first pair through the Omanyala Foundation. This support proved crucial as it enabled him to continue training and competing.
Athletics has also brought him new opportunities; he obtained his first passport in 2024 to travel to Uganda for the East African Secondary School Games, and later, his talent took him to Nigeria. He now dreams of making Team Kenya for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
African 100 metres record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala (left) ans Clinton Aluvi.
Photo credit: Pool
Aluvi’s daily routine speaks volumes about his discipline. He wakes up at 5am. He begins his day with prayers, before a 20-minute jog. He then engages in five hours of intense training at Kasarani under his coach Perpetua Mbutu, of Utawala Star Sprints.
Training alongside 30 other athletes, Aluvi has sharpened his skills significantly. His first coach, Sam Muigai, discovered his sprinting potential in 2023 as he watched him excel in rugby and football. Muigai convinced him to transition fully into athletics.
Family support has been key to his progress. His relatives have fully embraced his journey. “They see it as a God-given talent,” Aluvi says. Their encouragement, combined with mentorship from Omanyala and his coaches, have shaped his growth both as an athlete and as a person.
His achievements are already impressive. Aside from his African Under-20 title, Aluvi won gold in the 4x100m relay at the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (Feasssa) Games with team-mates Brian Okoth, Dennis Mwai, and Daniel Wasike in 2024.
He also dominated the Central Region secondary school championships in both the 100m and 200m races. His personal bests are 10.37 seconds, in the 100m set in the African U-18 and U-20 Championships heats, and 20.97 seconds in the 200m.
The 19-year-old is candid about the state of athletics in Kenya; “What makes me happy are the privileges such as promotions at work, and how competitive the sport is.”
However, he laments the lack of training facilities, which remain a major hurdle for aspiring athletes.
Having studied at James Chege Primary School in Kimbo, Ruiru, and later at Kahuho Uhuru High School, Aluvi joined the Omanyala Foundation in December last year after being scouted by Victor Wachira.
The foundation has provided him with resources and guidance essential to his development. He attributes his success to trusting in God, listening to his coaches, training hard, and drawing inspiration from his parents’ encouragement.
Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya competes in the 100m during the Absa Kip Keino Classic on May 31, 2025, at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
His simple diet of ugali and traditional vegetables fuels his demanding training. His eyes are on representing Kenya globally and cementing his place among the greatest sprinters.
To young athletes who look up to him, Aluvi, who got a C- in KCSE and wants to pursue Mass Communication, advises thus: “Follow your dreams, push hard in training, and trust your coaches and God.”
In just two years since taking up athletics, Aluvi has transformed from a high school rugby and football player into a continental champion, going places.
