Emily Wamusyi Ngii is a powerhouse in race walking and a true icon of Kenyan athletics. From winning a silver medal in the 20km race walk at the 2014 All Africa Games in Marrakech, Morocco (1:38.12), to claiming gold at the 2022 African Championships in Saint Pierre, Mauritius (1:34.30), Emily’s achievements are a testament to her relentless determination and unwavering dedication.
From Humble Beginnings to International Stardom
Born in 1989 in Katutu, a small village in Kenya, Emily is the second youngest in a family of ten children. Her journey to success began in humble surroundings. Like many children in rural Kenya, Emily started her education at Katutu Primary School, then continued to Katutu and Ilako Secondary Schools. It was in secondary school that Emily discovered her love for sports and displayed her natural leadership skills, eventually becoming the school’s football captain. This leadership would later earn her the honor of being Team Kenya’s overall captain at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and Deputy Team Captain at the 2024 African Games in Ghana.
“Growing up, I was always aggressive in sports, which is why I was made captain,” says Emily. “This drive to lead and compete has stayed with me throughout my career.”
Though she initially focused on sprinting (100m and 200m), it wasn’t until 2005, during an inter-school competition, that Emily found her true calling in race walking. To her surprise, she won the race, and from that moment, a fire was lit within her to pursue this new passion.
The Turning Point: From Soldier to Champion
In 2008, Emily moved to Nairobi to live with her brother, hoping to gain more exposure to the sport. That same year, she was recruited by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), marking a critical turning point in her career. After completing military training, Emily was posted to Laikipia IKR, where she met the late Coach Duncan Manguti. For the first time, Emily had a coach who could provide her with structured training programs, a significant step toward her success.
Coach Manguti later advised her to relocate to Kiganjo township so that she would be able to train under Coach David Kimutai, whom Emily credits with shaping her into the world-class athlete she is today. With Kimutai’s guidance, Emily’s athletic abilities flourished, and she made her international debut in India, finishing fifth. From 2010 to 2017, she consistently finished second behind Grace Wanjiru Njue in every race. This fueled her determination to break through and claim victory.
The Breakthrough: A Champion Is Born
In 2018, under the guidance of Coach Maurice Omollo, Emily won her first-ever race against Grace, a victory that marked a pivotal moment in her career. This victory earned her a spot on Team Kenya for the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, where she triumphed in a tactical race that solidified her place as one of Kenya’s top race walkers.
Emily’s Major Achievements:
- 2014: 20km Silver Medalist at the All Africa Games, Marrakech, Morocco (1:37.04)
- 2022: 10,000m Bronze Medalist at the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham (43:50.86 – African Record)
- 2022: 20km Gold Medalist at the African Championships, Mauritius (1:34.30)
- 2023: 20km Gold Medalist at the African Games, Accra, Ghana (Despite a technical error in the race, Emily was awarded gold based on the 19km distance covered)
Before heading to Ghana for the African Games, Emily faced a personal challenge when her mother’s health began to decline. “I was torn between staying to care for my mother or going to represent my country. But my mother encouraged me to go. She told me to do my best for Kenya and for her, and those words gave me the strength to win gold. That race will forever be my most memorable,” Emily recalls.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Race Walk in Kenya
As the queen of race walking in Kenya, Emily is passionate about the sport’s future. She urges the government and stakeholders to offer more support to race walk athletes, emphasizing that recognition shouldn’t be reserved only for those who win international titles. “Samuel Gathimba and I have put Kenya on the world map of race walking. We’ve been to the Olympics, and now it’s time for consistent support for this discipline,” she says.
To young athletes, Emily offers this invaluable advice: “Nothing comes easy. Race walking is a demanding sport, and discipline is key. Train hard, listen to your coach, eat well, and get enough rest. Success is built on consistency and dedication.”
The Road Ahead
Looking to the future, Emily is focused on qualifying for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Her journey continues to inspire athletes across the globe, showing that with hard work, passion, and determination, no dream is too big to achieve.
Emily Wamusyi Ngii’s legacy of resilience and triumph continues to inspire. Her unwavering commitment to race walking proves that no matter where you start, greatness is always within reach for those who are willing to work hard and stay focused.