Kenyan athletes can finally celebrate after President Uhuru Kenyatta awarded them following their brilliant performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that ended last week.
The awards came following an uproar among Kenyans due to the cold reception awarded to our athletes at the airport after a good show in the Tokyo.
In sharp contrast, Kenya’s neighbour Uganda treated its sons and daughter from the games to a red carpet reception with some of them gifted cars, houses and land for bringing glory to the country.
Kenya, which finished 19th in the world and top in Africa did not offer the returning athletes even a simple handshake – and Kenyans were unhappy.
And now, Uhuru has announced cash rewards of Sh1 million, Sh750,000 and Sh500,000 for Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists respectively.
A uniform token of Sh200,000 was also announced for all athletes and officials, including the Paralympics team taking part in the delayed Summer Games.
Kenya had four (4) gold medals, four (4) silver medals and two (2) bronze medals. The gold were won by Emmanuel Kipkurui Korir (Men’s 800 metres race), Faith Chepngetich (Women’s 1500 metres), Eliud Kipchoge (Men’s marathon) and Peres Jepchirchir (Women’s marathon).
The silver were won by Hellen Obori (Women’s 5000 metres), Ferguson Rotich (Men’s 800 metres), Brigid Kosgei (Women’s marathon) and Timothy Cheruiyot (Men’s 1500 metres)
The bronze medals were won by Benjamin Kigen (Men’ 3000 metres steeplechase) and Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi (Women’s 3000 metres steeplechase)