Kenyan athletes who emerged as winners in the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, are set to receive a combined KSh5 million cash prize.
Frankline Kibet and Nehemiah Kipng’eno won the gold and silver medals in the men’s 5,000m final after an impressive 1-2 finish.
Kibet’s gold medal attracts a government reward of KSh3 million. At the same time, the silver medallist Kipng’eno will receive KSh2 million under the enhanced incentive scheme introduced for Kenyan athletes competing at the global junior championships by President William Ruto.
The President said gold medal winners in athletics would receive KSh3 million, up from KSh750,000. At the same time, the President announced that Silver medallists would earn KSh2 million, an increase from KSh500,000, while bronze medallists will receive KSh1 million, up from KSh350,000.
According to Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, the cash prize reward to the winners is aimed at inspiring next generations of champions.
Frankline Kibet Leads Kenyan Team
Kibet emerged victorious, finishing at 13:28.27, while Kipng’eno crossed the line in 13:30.09.
Ethiopia’s Damitew Kebede settled for bronze in a personal best 13:35.38 in third place.
The win by the two Kenyans places Kenya among the top countries at the 2026 World Athletics Championships. Kenya now has 3 medals after Joyline Chepkemoi claimed bronze in the women’s 5,000m final after clocking a personal best of 15:09.08.
During the race, Cynthia Chepkirui finished 4th in the women’s 5000m at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships.
Frankline Kibet, Nehemiah Kipng’eno and Joyline Chepkemoiare part of the kenya teams at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships that has 23 athletes, 12 boys and 11 girls.
Who is Frankline Kibet?
Frankline Kibet was born on July 28, 2007, and specializes in the 5,000m, 3,000m and cross-country disciplines.
He entered the Oregon championships as the reigning World U20 Cross Country champion, having won the title in Tallahassee, United States, earlier this year.
In June, he clocked an impressive 13:08.32 during the Paris Diamond League, one of the fastest times ever recorded by a junior athlete.
In February, Frankline recorded a personal best of 7:43.01 in the 3000m short track and a further record of 13:45 in the 5km road in April.
Also Read: Irene Jepkemboi Makes History as First Kenyan Woman to Win a Field Medal at the Commonwealth Games
About Nehemiah Kipng’eno
Silver medallist Kipng’eno has equally established himself as one of Kenya’s most promising long-distance runners.
Nehemiah was born on May 2, 2007, and competes in the 5,000m, 10,000m and 3,000m events.
Further, the silver medalist has served as Team Kenya captain at the championships with a recorded personal best of 13:22.90 over 5,000m in Kumamoto, Japan.
In 2025, the athlete recorded a personal best of 28:03.31 in the 10,000m and 8:17.2h in Nairobi in a 3000 m race in 2026.
Also Read: President Ruto Hails Team Kenya’s 12-Medal Triumph at Commonwealth Games
Joyline Chepkemoi
The bronze medallist in the women’s 5000m was born on January 7, 2007, and competes in 5000m, 3000m, 1500m, and cross country.
Among her notable achievements is the bronze medal in the women’s 5,000m at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships,
She also won bronze in the 3,000m at the 2025 African U20 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria, and secured silver in the 1,500m at the 2023 African U18 Championships in Ndola, Zambia.
Chepkemoi was also part of Kenya’s team that won bronze at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, where she finished fifth individually.
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