Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has graduated as a police constable in Kenya's police service.
He was among 2,881 constables who graduated from the National Police College in an event presided over by President William Ruto.
The recruits finished the basic police training course among other courses on human rights, community policing, public order management, skills at arms, and countering violent extremism, according to the NPS (National Police Service).
Omanyala set the African 100m record of 9.77 seconds in September 2021. He became African champion in June 2022 becoming the second Kenyan to become continental champion over the distance. He now joins other top Kenyan athletes who are members of the police force.
Currently the African record holder and 8th fastest man of all-time in the 100 metres after clocking a time of 9.77, the Hamisi-born athlete said in a tweet: "It is an honour to serve the National Police Service and I promise to give my best as an athlete. I also understand that there is life after sprinting,"
The athlete joined the police force in 2021 after he agreed to compete in track events for the National Police Service (NPS). In a statement, the NPS said: “The 25-year-old sensational sprinter has taken up a new role that will see him represent the National Police Service in future track events.”
Joining the ranks of other elite athletes already serving in the National Police Service, such as David Rudisha, Joshua Kamworor, Vivian Cheruiyot, Julius Yego, and the iconic Ezekiel Kemboi, Omanyala will now be allowed to represent the security forces in future athletics competitions.
