Ruto rewards Kenyan Tokyo medalists with Sh27 million and housing plan

President William Ruto has announced a Sh27 million reward for Kenyan athletes who excelled at the recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. The move comes as the nation celebrated a strong performance that saw Kenya finish second overall in the medal tally.

Speaking during a breakfast meeting with the Tokyo team on Thursday, October 2, Ruto said gold medalists would each receive Sh3 million, silver medalists Sh2 million, and bronze medalists Sh1 million.

Kenya claimed a total of 11 medals in Tokyo, including seven gold, two silver, and two bronze. Of the gold winners, six were women and one was a man. The champions included Beatrice Chebet (5,000m & 10,000m), Faith Kipyegon (1,500m), Peres Jepchirchir (women’s marathon), Lillian Odira (800m), Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase), and Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m).

Silver medalists were Faith Kipyegon and Dorcas Ewoi (1,500m), while Reynold Cheruiyot (1,500m) and Edmund Serem (men’s 3,000m steeplechase) earned bronze.

In addition to the cash rewards, Ruto revealed that gold medalists would also be offered an affordable housing unit of their choice under a co-payment plan, where the government covers half the cost and the athlete pays the remaining half.

The arrangement mirrors the one previously offered to Harambee Stars after their 2024 African Nations Championship success.

Ruto addressed critics who have questioned the initiative, saying the housing units were not being handed out for free.

“There are some who, because of ignorance, believe we are dishing out affordable houses. There is no affordable house that is going to be given to anybody without being paid for,” he said.

He added, “When we say we are going to make a house available to anybody, including our athletes, it means that the government is going to pay,” emphasizing that the program is structured and accountable.