Faith Kipyegon awarded Sh5m cash and Sh6m house for breaking two world records

President William Ruto (centre) with Kenya's 5000M champion Faith Kipyegon, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Sports CS Ababu Namwamba at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya's 5000M champion Faith Kipyegon will be awarded Sh5 million in cash and a house worth Sh6 million for breaking two world records.

Kipyegon, who jetted back into the country on Tuesday, June 13, was hosted by President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua for breakfast at State House in Nairobi.

The Head of State, lauding Kipyegon for her achievements and for carrying the country's flag high, said the government will recognize and reward exceptional athletes who break world records.

"To acknowledge her accomplishments, the government will grant Kipyegon a cash reward of Sh5 million and a house valued at Sh6 million for breaking two world records. Additionally, a new policy will be introduced to award Kenyan athletes who set world records a sum of Sh5 million," said Ruto.

Ruto made the announcement in honour of Kipyegon who broke two world records within a week, in the 1500m and 5000m races on June 2 and 9, respectively.

The president exuded confidence that the move will also provide dignity and respect for the athletes.

The president further directed the Sports Ministry to establish a special sports and arts fund to look into the welfare of the country's sportsmen and women.

President William Ruto (centre), Kenya's 5000M champion Faith Kipyegon (left), Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Sports CS Ababu Namwamba at State House, Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The meeting was attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei, and other guests.

Also present was Commonwealth and Africa's 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala.

President Ruto reiterated the government's commitment to recognising and appreciating the efforts of Kenyan athletes in international competitions.

Furthermore, he announced that sportsmen and women who consistently demonstrate outstanding performance will be granted diplomatic passports and national honors as a mark of distinction.

"I want the ministry to finalize the package of what kind of reward scheme is going to accompany our sportsmen and women, our creative and arts and I will be launching the scheme soon so that our athletes and those in the arts can know how the government of Kenya is going to stand with them when they shine," he said.

President William Ruto (left), double world record holder Faith Kipyegon and other attendees at State House, Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Faith Kipyegon achieved her world-breaking feats by setting new records in the women's 5000m and 1500m races.
On June 9, at the Paris Diamond League, she achieved a time of 14:05:20 in the 5000m, becoming the first Kenyan woman to hold the world record in that category.

Kipyegon exhibited remarkable determination as she surpassed the previous record holder, Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia, with 600m remaining in the race.

Just a week earlier, on June 2, Kipyegon broke the world record in the 1500m race in Florence, clocking a time of 3:49.11.

She later revealed that her primary objective was to give her best performance, making her accomplishments even more remarkable.