President William Ruto has lavished praise and cash rewards on the country’s Olympic athletes, while pledging to boost sports infrastructure amid criticism of the team’s performance.
At a breakfast meeting in Eldoret, dubbed the “City of Champions”, Ruto handed out KES 19.75 million to medal winners from the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Kenya finished 17th in the overall medal table with 11 medals, including four golds, making it Africa’s top performer.
However, the team faced criticism at home, which Ruto forcefully rejected.
“Even as we set very high standards for ourselves, let us remember to celebrate our achievements,” he said. “Let us criticise them less; they do a lot, they go out of their way, and they make sacrifices to make our flag be flown in capitals around the world.”
Double gold medallist Beatrice Chebet received the largest reward of KES 6 million for her victories in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. The 23-year-old was also promoted to the rank of Corporal in the National Police Service.
Faith Kipyegon, who won gold in the 1,500m and silver in the 5,000m, was awarded KES 5 million.
Twenty-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi received KES 3 million for his historic 800m victory, which made him the youngest Olympic champion in the event’s history.
Other medallists, including Ronald Kwemoi, Benson Kipruto, and Mary Moraa, also received cash rewards.
While celebrating the athletes’ success, Ruto acknowledged challenges to Kenya’s dominance in athletics.
“Our athletics are increasingly under encroachment from countries that have learned and perfected our skills to our detriment,” he said.
To address this, the president announced plans to establish 25 new sports academies across the country to identify and nurture talent from the grassroots level.
“The reason we are expanding our sports academies is so that we can harness as much talent as possible and provide the necessary infrastructure for training,” Ruto explained.
He called for a comprehensive sports policy framework to enhance the country’s sports ecosystem and urged the private sector to play a more active role in supporting Kenyan sports.
Ruto criticised local businesses for failing to capitalise on the international demand for Kenyan sportswear.
“Our business people are sleeping on the job,” he remarked. “How can people be looking for Kenyan sportswear in Paris, and there is nobody to sell?”
The president stressed the need to commercialise the sports sector, highlighting its potential as a lucrative career path for young Kenyans.
He also emphasised the importance of mentorship, calling on seasoned athletes to guide the younger generation.
Addressing the issue of doping, which has tarnished Kenya’s athletics reputation in recent years, Ruto promised decisive action.
“We must ensure that doping does not undermine our great talent as a country,” he stated, vowing to protect the integrity of Kenyan sports.
