Aasai

The Kenyan government has unveiled a revamped, generous reward scheme aimed at motivating athletes to reach greater heights, as the country continues to celebrate the outstanding achievements of track queens Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet. The announcement came during a special breakfast meeting held in Nairobi on Tuesday morning, hosted by Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya. The event was convened to honor the two trailblazing athletes following their record-breaking performances at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Faith Kipyegon once again cemented her legendary status in the athletics world by smashing her own world record in the women’s 1500 meters. She clocked an awe-inspiring time of 3:48.68, further stretching the boundaries of middle-distance running. This feat came just days after she competed in the Sub-4 Minute Mile Challenge in Paris, showcasing not only her strength and endurance but also her consistency at the highest level of the sport.

“This journey has not been easy,” said Kipyegon in her speech. “I thank God and all the Kenyans who always support us. However, I would like to humbly request the government to invest more in our training infrastructure. Athletes abroad are equipped with world-class training facilities. We need similar conditions at home to compete even better.”

Beatrice Chebet, on her part, made history by becoming the first woman to run the 5000 meters in under 14 minutes. Her finishing time of 13:58.06 set a new benchmark in women’s long-distance athletics and placed her firmly among the sport’s global elite. Chebet described the experience as surreal and credited Kipyegon as a key source of inspiration.

“Faith is a role model to many of us,” said Chebet. “Watching her push boundaries motivates me to work harder. When she ran that mile in under four minutes, I knew it was possible to go beyond what we thought were limits. That belief helped me reach where I am now.”

The event brought together key stakeholders in the sports sector, including Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi and officials from Athletics Kenya. PS Mwangi emphasized the need to expand domestic athletics competitions to nurture and expose local talent from across the country.

“There’s immense talent in our counties, from the Rift Valley to the coast and beyond,” said Mwangi. “It is now time to decentralize athletic opportunities and bring more competitions closer to where these young athletes come from. That is how we will build a stronger, more prepared national team.”

In a major announcement, CS Mvurya revealed an upgraded reward package for Kenyan athletes participating in global competitions. The new scheme significantly increases monetary prizes for medal winners. Gold medalists at the Olympics or Paralympics will now receive Ksh 3 million — a sharp rise from the previous Ksh 750,000. Silver medalists will take home Ksh 2 million, up from Ksh 500,000, and bronze medalists will earn Ksh 1 million, up from Ksh 350,000.

“These changes reflect our commitment to recognizing excellence and making sports a sustainable career for our youth,” said Mvurya. “We are not only celebrating the achievements of Kipyegon and Chebet, but we are also laying the groundwork for Kenya’s sporting future.”

The breakfast meeting also served as a platform for wider conversations around investing in sports infrastructure, coaching, and youth development programs. The Ministry of Sports reaffirmed its focus on preparing Team Kenya for upcoming global events, particularly the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

In the words of Mvurya, “Let this be a message to all young Kenyan athletes: if you stay focused, work hard, and represent your country with honor — the government will stand with you every step of the way.”