Govt awards Faith Kipyegon Ksh5M and house
By Collins Amanga, June 13, 2023President William Ruto has revealed that the Kenyan government will bestow significant honours upon world record holder Faith Kipyegon.
The athlete’s remarkable achievements in recent weeks have captured the nation’s attention and admiration.
Kipyegon shattered the women’s 1,500 meters world record at the Florence Diamond League in Italy on June 2 and then went on to break the women’s 5,000 meters world record during the Paris Diamond League in France a week later.
Recognizing the magnitude of her accomplishments, Ruto has pledged to award Kipyegon Ksh5 million for her first record and an additional 6 million shillings, equivalent to a house worth, for her second record.
This extraordinary reward is intended to motivate athletes and inspire them to continuously excel while representing Kenya on the global stage.
During a gathering at the statehouse where Kipyegon and Ferdinand Omanyala were hosted, President Ruto expressed his vision to extend this award scheme to all athletes who break world records in the future.
The government aims to nurture a culture of excellence and provide ongoing support to Kenya’s talented athletes, ensuring they stay motivated and continue to bring honour to the nation.
“We are going to start today with Faith, who has broken two world records, the 1,500 meters in Florence, Italy, and the 5,000 meters record in Paris, France.
“The government of Kenya will award her 5 million for the first record and a house worth 6 million for the second record.
“This same recognition and reward system will be extended to future world record breakers and beaters after Faith, motivating our young men and women in their athletic pursuits,” Ruto stated.
Kipyegon alongside his husband and kids arrived in Kenya on a Kenya Air Force jet. Kipyegon alighted from the KAF 304 plane, which is occasionally utilized by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for important ceremonies.
CS @AbabuNamwamba receives 1500M and 5000M World Record holder Faith Kipyegon when she jetted back to the country, this morning. The CS was flanked by Nairobi Governor @SakajaJohnson, PS @IsmailMaalim19, PS @EngPeterKTum & @athletics_kenya President Gen. Rtd. Jackson Tuwei. pic.twitter.com/kmCShdFhDZ
— Ministry Of Youth Affairs, The Arts & Sports (@moyasa_ke) June 13, 2023
Kipyegon, a phenomenal middle-distance runner specializing in the 1,500 meters, has already secured a place in athletic history.
With her back-to-back Olympic victories, multiple world titles, and world records, she has firmly established herself as one of the greatest female athletes of all time.
Her recent world records in both the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters have set new standards for future generations of athletes to aspire to.
Kipyegon’s achievements extend beyond her remarkable records. She has consistently displayed exceptional talent, winning numerous championships and collecting medals throughout her career.
Her success spans the World Championships, Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League events, cementing her status as an extraordinary athlete in the world of middle-distance running.
In 2017, Kipyegon was recognized as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine, further highlighting her impact and inspiration within and beyond the athletic sphere.