Kenya Prisons Service has honoured Lilian Odira after winning the 800m gold medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, last month.

The 26-year-old world champion was promoted to the rank of sergeant from constable after her magical exploits in Tokyo in a colourful ceremony presided over by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Patrick Aranduh, at the Kenya Prisons Headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, October 3, 2025.

At the event, Kenya Prisons Service Patrick Aranduh hailed athletes from the department who represented the Service well by flying the country’s flag high at the concluded 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

”For the sportsmen and women who represented our nation in Tokyo, welcome back home. When you left for Tokyo, you carried the hopes of the service and the flag of our nation, Kenya. Today, you return not just as officers but as global icons. You have walked the same tracks as the world’s best, and you have proven beyond any doubt that you belong amongst the best. Your good performances have brought honour not only to our beloved Kenya, but the Service as well,” Aranduh said.

Odira welcomes promotion

On her part, Lilian Odira was elated and expressed gratitude to the Kenya Prisons Service for the honour.

”I am so grateful, I want to thank my Commissioner General in the whole Kenya Prisons family for the honour. It feels so great going out to fight for your country, and you are rewarded by your department,” Odira said.

”This is my motivation, I will now work harder, this is the start of my journey, and I am aiming to do better. Getting departmental promotion is not an easy thing; I think I am just grateful. My coach has been my daily support system; she has been with me through this journey. My family and kids are so special to me. I extend my gratitude to the entire department and all those who have been close to me,” she added.

Jacinta Muraguri, Lialian Odira’s coach, described the promotion as a motivation to the rest of the athletes, before expressing gratitude to Kenya Prisons Commissioner General Patrick Aranduh for the recognition.

”I want to thank our Commissioner General for promoting Lilian. It is a great honour and motivation for other athletes. I believe going forward, she will work even harder because she is well motivated,” Muraguri noted.

Lilian Odira was named in the Kenyan team for the 800 metres at the 2025 World Championships, which she won in a World Championship Record time of 1:54.62. Her achievement in Tokyo became the 7th fastest 800m time ever run by a woman.