Ruto awards Faith Kipyegon Sh6m house, Sh5m cash for breaking world records
President William Ruto hands over the keys to a brand new three-bedroom house to 1500 and 5000m World Record holder Faith Kipyegon on June 13, 2023 at State House, Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- He spoke Tuesday after hosting Faith Kiyegon and Ferdinand Omanyala for breakfast at State House, Nairobi.
Kenyan athletics sensational star Faith Kipyegon Tuesday received Sh5million and a new three-bedroom house worth Sh6 million for breaking two world records from President William Ruto.
The President also said that the government will award any athlete Sh5 million for breaking a world record. He spoke Tuesday after hosting Faith Kipyegon, Ferdinand Omanyala and other athletes for breakfast at State House, Nairobi.
The President awarded Omanyala, the Commonwealth and Africa 100m champion, Sh2 million.
From left: Nairobi County Governor Johnstone Sakaja, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, double world record holder Faith Kipyegon, President William Ruto, Africa 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala and Deputy President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on June 13, 2023.
At the same time, Ruto delinked the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (Sports Fund) from any other engagements saying that funds raised will solely be dedicated to sports, arts and creative economy.
The President said the existing cash reward scheme must be reviewed to cut across sports, arts and creative economy.
Accompanying Kipyegon and Omanyala were 3,000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and Commonwealth Games 800m champion, Mary Moraa, two-time world cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor, and the 2017 World marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui.
President William Ruto hands over documents of a new three-bedroom house to 1500m and 5000m World Record holder Fairh Kipyegon on June 13, 2023 at State House, Nairobi.
Kipyegon, who was flanked by her husband, 2012 London Olympics 800m bronze medallist Timothy Kitum, daughter Alyne and their parents Samuel and Linah Koech, will now occupy a three bedroom house at Park Road, Nairobi.
The house is part of the apartments constructed by the government under the affordable housing scheme.
The President was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretary for Sport, the Arts and Youth Affairs, Ababu Namwamba, Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei among others.
Faith Kipyegon's daughter Alyn Jepkorir (left) shares a light moment with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on June 13, 2023 at State House, Nairobi.
“Going forward, we have decided that any Kenyan who participates in a world event and goes on to break a world record, unlike in the past, will be recognised through cash rewards,” said Ruto.
“It will be the same for all over world breakers.
The President said that he has directed Namwamba to review the reward scheme so that the country can recognise and reward appropriately men and women, who attain excellence in sports, arts and creative economy.
In the existing scheme started by the late President Mwai Kibaki, those winning gold medals from the Olympics pocketed Sh1m, silver medallists, Sh750,000 and bronze medallists Sh500,000.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (right) welcomes 1500m and 5000m World Record holder Faith Kipyegon (left), her husband Timothy Kitum and daughter Alyn Jepkorir on June 13, 2023 at State House, Nairobi.
Winners at World Athletics Championships received Sh 750,000, silver medallist Sh500,000 and bronze medallists Sh300,000.
“In recognition of what our sportsmen and women are doing, we have had a policy shift, I have instructed the ministries concerned to move away from crowding the Sports Fund with other requirements. Sports Funds is going to be dedicated solely to matters of sports, arts and the creative economy," said Ruto.
Currently, the Sports Fund that draws money mainly from betting is shared with the Ministry of health among other engagements with only 35 percent going to sports and five percent to arts.
Faith Kipyegon's daughter Alyn Jepkorir shares a light moment with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, President William Ruto and her father Timothy Kitum on June 13, 2023 at State House, Nairobi.
Ruto described it as a humbling and great morning hosting Kipyegon to celebrate her historic two records she set within a span of a week.
“This morning, I offered breakfast to Faith, her parents and also fellow athletes to celebrate and recognise what she has done not only for herself, but our country,” Ruto said, adding that Kipyegon stands as a shining model of consistency, discipline, hard work as well as family.
“Faith is a great Kenyan woman, mother, wife and a world champion rolled into one,” said Ruto, who hailed Omanyala as Africa's sprint king.
“When I see Omanyala, I see a great future for young Kenyans especially in the field of sprint...I see Alyne (referring to Kipyegon’s daughter) as the future.”
The President also took time to celebrate fast rising 800m duo Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Mary Moraa, who accompanied Kipyegon to celebrate her great feat.
"Kenya is assured of a great athletics future," said Ruto.
Namwamba said the reward scheme, which will for the first time address top performers in team events, will be launched by the President.
