 She won 400 metres race at the 1973 All-Africa games, becoming the first Kenyan woman to win All-Africa Games gold medal in athletics.Chemabwai won silver at the 1978 Commonwealth Games 800 metres race.It was only the second Commonwealth Games medal won by Kenyan women athlete, the first one was by Sabina Chebichi, who finished third at the 1974 Commonwealth Games 800 metres race.