Kiptanui, Kip Keino among athletes feted for developing towns

Athletics legend Kipchoge Keino (centre) receives a Town Excellence award from Justice Elijah Obaga in Eldoret yesterday. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Legendary athletes Moses Kiptanui, Kipchoge Keino and Paul Tergat are among six sports personalities honored by the Town and County Planners Association of Kenya (TCPAK) during its 2022 Town Excellence Awards in Eldoret.

The towering athletics figures were awarded for their contributions in development of towns and counties in their home areas.

Two-time Olympic champion and marathon World Record holder Eliud Kipchoge and London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto as well as Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei were also awarded during the awards ceremony on Friday evening.

Kiptanui, a three-time 3000m steeplechase world champion was awarded for the rapid expansion of his Tulin supermarkets and other socio-economic investments.

"Kiptanui has made a name for himself in Uasin Gishu County through socio-economic investments," a TCPAK award citation read in part.

The association continued: "This comes after the Moses Kiptanui Dispensary (in Uasin Gishu), the opening of other Supermarket branches, providing employment opportunities for residents and the Shoe4Africa Moses Kiptanui School in Elgeyo Marakwet."

Kiptanui, who had been recognized during the Mashujaa Day fete last month described the Friday award as a great honor.

"It is nice to be recognized after representing the country for over ten years and as one of the key stakeholders in Eldoret, which is the city of champions. I am not taking it for granted," Kiptanui said during the award ceremony.

According to TCPAK, the legendary Kip Keino, who is a two-time Olympic champion was awarded for contributing to developments of towns through his humanitarian efforts in Eldoret.

"He (Kip Keino) has established the Lewa Children's Home for orphans, the Kip Keino Primary School in 1999," the association said.