The government has promised to award Faith Kipyegon a house worth Ksh 6 million and Ksh 5 million in cash for breaking the 1500m and 5000m world records.
Kipyegon broke two World Records in a span of one week at the Diamond League in Florence, Italy running 1500M in a time of 3:49.11 and Paris, France running the 5000M in 14:05.20.
President William Ruto on Tuesday speaking at the state house where they hosted the champion for breakfast said it was time the country recognized well-performing athletes and fete them fittingly to continue to bolster high performances in international competitions.
Moving forward, every record broken will be awarded Ksh 5 million.
Also Read: Two World Records in a Row-Faith Kipyegon Wins the 5000m in Paris
“Going forward, we have decided as the government of Kenya that any Kenyan who participates in a world event and breaks a world record, unlike in the past where there was no recognition, going forward, for any world record broken by a Kenyan, Kenya is going to award Ksh.5 million,” said Ruto.
“And we are going to start today with Faith she has broken two world records in 1500 meters in Italy and 5,000 meters in France. The government is going to award her a total of Ksh.5 million for one record and we are going to give her a house worth Ksh.6 million for the other record.”
The president also said the country with work with relevant organizations to nurture more talent in Kenya.
“We already have the talent, the pool of talented resources in Kenya that can break any record and going forward we will work hand in hand with our athletes and also reward then appropriately,” he said.
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