On Tuesday, June 13, President William Ruto recognized athlete Faith Kipyegon for breaking two world records in the Paris Diamond League.
Ruto announced at State residence in Nairobi that Kipyegon will receive a residence worth Ksh6 million.
She would also get Ksh5 million in cash for breaking the 1,500 and 5,000 meter records.
“For every world record broken by a Kenyan, the government of Kenya is going to award Ksh5 million,” Ruto stated.
“She has won and broken two world records in 1,500 meters and 5,000 metres. The government of Kenya is going to award her Ksh5 million for one record and we are going to give her a house worth Ksh6 million,” Ruto added.
Kipyegon’s new home is located in Parklands Nairobi and was constructed as part of the Affordable Housing Programme.
At the same time, Ruto gave Ksh2 million to 100m African Champion for 2023, Ferdinand Omanyala, for setting the pace for future competitors in short races.
The Head of State claimed that prizes were intended to recognize athletes who were making accomplishments in many economic sectors.
During the congratulatory speeches, Rigathi Gachagua hailed Faith for her diligence in sports as he urged her to be smart on how she manages her earnings.
Riggy G also offered to help her in her investment choices.
“As I congratulate Faith, I want to ask our athletes to be prudent in the way they invest their earnings they get out of their accomplishments. It is very saddening when we people who have been very successful and famous live in poverty after retirement,” he said.
“I urge Faith and Omanyala and everybody else to look for ways of investing. And Faith should you have a problem in knowing how exactly you can invest whatever you are going to earn, I am available. I am a prudent businessman; I can guide you around to make sure you succeed,” stated Gachagua.
Kipyegon set a new world record as well as the national record in 1,500m when she won the Florence Diamond League on June 2 in Italy before breaking the 5,000m world record a week later with an explosive victory in the Paris Diamond League, France.
Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia held the previous 1,500m World record of 3:50.07 set in Monaco in July 15, 2015, while Gidey Letesenbet Gidey also of Ethiopia held the previous 5,000m world record of 14:06.52 attained in Valencia, Spain on October 7, 2020.
