Tejitu began running for Bahrain in 2009 and her first outing for her adopted country came at the Asian Cross Country Championships, where she was second in the junior ranks behind Shitaye Eshete (another Ethiopian-turned-Bahraini). She then ran in the junior race of the 2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, placing 23rd overall. Turning to track events, she completed a 5000 metres/10,000 metres double at the Arab Athletics Championships. In October she won the 3000 metres gold medal at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games She looked set to top the podium again at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships, but she slowed too early at the line and allowed Xue Fei to pip her at the line. Tejitu also represented Bahrain in the 10,000 m at the competition and was fourth overall.