All athletes honoured by President Ruto at Jamhuri Day celebrations

Faith Kipyegon, Ferdinand Omanyala and Kelvin Kiptum were among Kenyan athletes who were honoured during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations held at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on December 12, 2023. (Photos: AFP)

By Sports Reporter
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Other athletes who were honoured by the President include the World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum, 100m African Champion Ferdinand Omanyala, 800m world champion Mary Moraa and 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich.

President William Ruto on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, recognised the efforts of Kenyan athletes who exhibited stellar performances in their respective races throughout the year during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations held at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

Most notable was, Faith Kipyegon, conferred the rank and status of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya. Holder of world records in the 1500m and 5000m events, Kipyegon was crowned the Women’s World Athlete of the Year for track events in a remarkable 2023 season at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco on December 11, 2023.

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The 29-year-old mother has broken three world records in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m events. Her stellar performance continued at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where she secured two world championship titles. Kipyegon successfully defended her title in the 1500m and claimed her first world championship over 5000m, facing one of the most competitive fields in the event’s history.

“Today, I have conferred upon our world-beating athlete Faith Kipyegon the rank and status of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (E.G.H.), the highest honour our country awards its citizens who illuminate the path of excellence. She has earned her place at the very top, from running barefoot to breaking two world records within a year is the ultimate heroism. Faith’s journey is an inspiration to all our young and aspiring athletes” he stated.

Other athletes who were honoured by the President include the World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum, 100m African Champion Ferdinand Omanyala, 2021 world Under 20 gold medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, 800m world champion Mary Moraa and 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich.

Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum celebrates winning the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois, in a world record time of two hours and 35 seconds on October 8, 2023. (Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP)

“On Jamhuri Day 2022, I announced a grand plan to transform Kenyan sports and creatives into a significant industry to expand livelihood opportunities for our youth, through the Government flagship Talanta Hela Initiative, which we officially unveiled in June this year. Our sportsmen and women continue to make our country proud with their conquests far and wide. Our women’s volleyball and men’s rugby have qualified for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Our athletes continue to excel at various global events as well exemplified by the shining performances in the long and middle-distance races,” said the President in his speech.