David Rudisha easily retained his 800m title here on Friday and led Kenya to an unprecedented clean sweep, as Libya clinched their first African athletics championships medal in the men's 400m race.

Rudisha's victory opened the floodgates for the Kenyans, who went on to win two more golds in the men's steeplechase and the women's 1500m to cap a successful track afternoon for the hosts.

The 21-year-old Rudisha led from start to finish, keeping his pace throughout the race to post an impressive time of 1min 42.84sec and pulling compatriots Alfred Kirwa (1:44.85) and Jack Kivuva (1:45.47) to their personal best performances.

Rudisha's victory had been expected, after the red-hot favourite Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, the South African world champion, pulled a hamstring in the semi-finals on Thursday and Abubaker Kaki of Sudan opted for the relays.

Rudisha, though, said he was running his own race.

"I am used to running my own races," said Rudisha.

"I don't want to run somebody else's race and that's why you see me this year controlling my pace and running fast. I don't want to look around to see who is competing or not."

"Since I have achieved my target of winning the African championships, I can now prepare for the IAAF inter-continental cup championships in Split, Croatia.

"I am also looking ahead to next year's world championships, which I need to win."

Mohamed Khawaja gave Libya their first African medal when he took the men's 400m in 44.98sec.

The Mediterranean Games champion moved into the lead after 200m and never looked back to snatch a rare victory over British-based Sudanese Rabah Yousif, who was second in 45.18.

Democratic Republic of Congo's 2006 champion and African record holder Gary Kikaya came third in 45.28m, sharing the same time with fourth-placed Mark Mutai of Kenya.

The men's 3000m steeplechase defending champion Richard Mateelong beat world champion Ezekiel Kemboi in a Kenyan 1-2 finish before Olympic women's champion Nancy Jebet Langat added another gold to take Kenya's tally to five gold medals.

South Africa dominated the men's 400m hurdles, with defending champion Louis Van Zyl leading compatriot Cornel Fredericks to score a 1-2 sweep in the race. Senegal's Hanne Mamadou Kasse took the bronze.

Botswana's women's 400m champion Amantle Montsho recorded 50.03 in retaining her title, beating the 2006 champion Amy Mbacke Thiam of Senegal (51.32) into second place, with Nigeria's Shade Abugan (51.63) third.