The Kenyan government rolled out a grand welcome for the country’s athletic superstar, Faith Kipyegon, as she returned from Paris, France, where she not only won the women’s 5,000m race but also set a new world record.
Kipyegon’s remarkable time of 14:05.2 surpassed the previous record holder, Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia, who finished second. This incredible achievement came just a week after Kipyegon set another world record in the women’s 1,500m race in Florence, Italy, with a time of 3:49.11.
Top government officials, led by President William Ruto, warmly received Kipyegon at the State House. The Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, and Nairobi County Governor, Johnson Sakaja, welcomed her upon her arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Alongside her family, Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala, the reigning African champion and Commonwealth Games champion was also present to celebrate her success.
During the ceremony at State House, the government made various promises to Kenyan athletes and rewarded Kipyegon with 5 million Kenyan shillings for breaking the 1,500m record and a three-bedroom house worth 6 million Kenyan shillings for her outstanding performance in the 5,000m race.
President Ruto, addressing the audience, ordered the Sports Ministry to review the existing award scheme and commended the athletes for bringing honour to Kenya on the global stage.
Moved by the gestures, Kipyegon, accompanied by her daughter, fought back tears of joy and announced her intention to fulfil her promise of buying a car for her father. The government’s treatment of athletes has often been criticized in the past, leading some to switch citizenship and compete with wealthier nations in the Gulf.
President Ruto also pledged to issue diplomatic passports to athletes, making their international travel easier. He emphasized the need to honour and recognize these exceptional sportsmen and sportswomen who accomplish what many cannot, continuously bringing pride to the country.
The current award scheme for Olympic medalists provides 1 million Kenyan shillings for gold medal winners, 750,000 Kenyan shillings for silver medalists, and 500,000 Kenyan shillings for bronze medalists.
By providing diplomatic passports and national honours, the government aims to facilitate the athletes’ global mobility and ensure they continue to make Kenya proud.
This move is particularly important as it addresses previous visa-related challenges faced by athletes like Omanyala, who experienced delays in obtaining his American visa for the World Championships held in Oregon, USA, last year.
