Ferdinand Omanyala Gets Visa

UPDATE 12.42 pm: Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has finally secured his visa to travel to the United States (US).

Sports Cabinet Secretary, Amb Amina Mohammed said he will fly out of the country at 6.00 pm following the matter which sparked a nationwide uproar.

The 100m race is among those to feature on the opening day of the 2022 World Championships at Oregon, USA, with the preliminary rounds set for 10:30 pm. Due to his time of 9.85secs clocked at the Kip Keino Classic, Omanyala heads straight to the heats which start at 4:50 am Kenyan time.

Omanyala’s Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) is at 4 pm Oregon time, which is 2 am Kenyan time, only two and a half hours before his race.

"Visa challenges are faced by all Kenyans and people daily, in this case, I was no different.
First, I would like to thank God, the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Sports CS Amina Mohamed have been at the forefront in ensuring I get my visa.

"Thank you to the US Embassy in Kenya for granting me my VISA. I will also be competing in the commonwealth games in Birmingham on Thursday, July 28. Looking forward to making all Kenyans proud," he stated.

Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, will miss the 2022 World Championships at Oregon, USA over delays in issuing his visa on time in what is a big blow to Team Kenya.

Omanyala had failed to travel with the Kenyan team to the US on Tuesday night, July 12 over the matter, which came as a massive hurdle to his hopes of clinching a gold medal at the event.

His team told AFP that it would be impossible to have his issues sorted out before the world championships kick off tomorrow, Friday, July 15. He was due to line up in the 100 metres heats set for that day.

Ferdinand Omanyala celebrates after winning the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic on May 7, 2022. /CAPITAL SPORTS

"I have given up my trip to Oregon. Even if I am given a visa today it's too late.

"It would mean booking flights which can only be possible at night and the race is on tomorrow. It's not possible," he told AFP, adding that there was nothing he could do to solve the issue.

"It's been my longest day of waiting and I don't like waiting," he added.

He further noted that he has since accepted the situation and will turn his attention to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom between Thursday, July 28 and Monday, August 8.

A source with knowledge of Omanyala's issue spoke to Viral Tea on Thursday, July 14 and revealed that the US Embassy is still yet to provide details of the matter.

"They are not responding or saying anything," the source said to Viral Tea.

Omanyala officially became Africa's fastest man when he won the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday, May 7 at Kasarani, Nairobi after clocking 9.85 seconds in the 100m race. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Amb Amina Mohammed watched him blitz past the likes of US's Fred Kerley and Isaiah Young to win the race in front of his elated home crowd.

Kerley, an Olympics silver medalist, finished second at a time of 9.92 seconds. 

Omanyala's 9.85 seconds is the fastest time in the world in the 100 meters race for 2022. 

Ferdinand Omanyala. THAT'S IT! ???????????? 9.85 seconds@Ferdiomanyala #KipKeinoClassic pic.twitter.com/879DAsICX7 — Marvin Chege (@marvin_chege10) May 7, 2022