Kenyan athletes to pocket Sh105 million for outstanding Tokyo performances
The championships, held at the Japan National Stadium, drew over 2,000 athletes from 200 countries, with a total prize fund of $8,498,000 (Sh1.094 billion).
Kenya's medal-winning athletes from the just-concluded 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo are set to pocket a combined Sh105 million following their commanding performances at the global event held between September 13-21.
The payout includes Sh78 million from World Athletics and Sh27 million in government rewards.
The championships, held at the Japan National Stadium, drew over 2,000 athletes from 200 countries, with a total prize fund of $8,498,000 (Sh1.094 billion).
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In line with the World Athletics reward system, individual event winners pocketed $70,000 (Sh9.03 million) for gold, $35,000 (Sh4.5 million) for silver and $22,000 (Sh2.8 million) for bronze.
Similarly, athletes who finished fourth through eighth place also received monetary rewards ranging from $16,000 (Sh2.06 million) $5,000 (Sh645,709), but Kenya's haul came from podium finishes.
Peres Jepchirchir opened Kenya's medal count with gold in the women's marathon on the second day of the event. Similarly, Beatrice Chebet clinched double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m races.
Faith Cherotich won gold in the 3,000m steeplechase, while Faith Kipyegon claimed gold in the women's 1,500m and silver in the 5,000m. Lilian Odira added gold in the women's 800m, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi captured gold in the men's 800m final.
Silver medals were earned by Dorcas Ewoi in the 1,500m and Reynold Cheruiyot in the 1,500m, while Edmund Serem secured bronze in the men's 3,000m steeplechase.
Based on World Athletics prize money, Jepchirchir, Cherotich, Kipyegon, Odira, and Wanyonyi will each receive Sh9.03 million for their gold medals.
Chebet's double-gold performance brought her Sh18.06 million from World Athletics alone, while silver medallists Ewoi and Cheruiyot earned Sh4.5 million each. On the other hand, bronze medallist Serem received Sh2.8 million.
In addition to international rewards, the Kenyan government recently enhanced its bonus scheme for medalists. Gold medallists now receive Sh3 million, up from Sh750,000; silver medallists earn Sh2 million, up from Sh500,000. Similarly, bronze medallists are now awarded Sh1 million, up from Sh350,000.
Chebet's two golds translate into a government bonus of Sh6 million, the largest individual payout.
The team has also benefited from daily allowances during the championships, with athletes receiving Sh7,800 to Sh26,000 per day and officials between Sh10,400 and Sh39,000 per day.
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