By Mariselah Kimbio
The State House, Nairobi hosted double Olympic and world record holder Faith Kipyegon and Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala to celebrate their success.
Faith Kipyegon broke the world record twice by winning the 1500m Florence Diamond League in Italy early this year and later went on to win the 5000m Paris Diamond League in France.
Kipyegon became the first athlete in Kenya to benefit from the government’s new reward scheme which was launched by the President, which offers 5 million shillings to athletes who will break a world record.
She received a Sh.5M cheque and a Sh,6M house in Nairobi for breaking the two world records.
Omanyala also received Sh.2M for winning the Commonwealth and Africa 100m in the Diamond League.
Kipyegon is also set to earn over Sh.18M for being a two-time world record holder in the Diamond League.
Speaking at the occasion, Kipyegon gave a speech expressing her gratitude to Kenyans for all the support she received during her training all the way to when she broke the world record.
The athletes however pleaded with the government to improve sports facilities to promote talent development.
Omanyala urged the president to renovate the warm-up track at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, claiming that the poor condition of the track could cause injuries during training.
Kipyegon broke down into tears while giving her speech, reminiscing on a promise she made to her father to buy him a car if she broke the world record.
It is safe to say that Kipyegon’s father is the happiest father alive.