Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua greeted and commended world athletics record breaker Faith Kipyegon for breaking two world records in one week as he addressed the country from State House Nairobi on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. DP Gachagua reminded Ms Kipyegon that she had made Kenya proud with the honour she had brought to the country.

"What Faith has accomplished is unprecedented. In a week, I broke two world records. As I congratulate Faith, I'd like to remind our athletes to be reasonable in investing the money they gain from their accomplishments... And, Faith, if you have any questions about how to support whatever you're going to earn, I'm here to help. I'm a very cautious businessman.

Those in attendance at the Faith Kipyegon welcoming ceremony laughed at DP Gachagua's statement.

He said that he and the President had counselled Faith to invest wisely since she is a hustler who wants to prosper and employ ten to twenty people.


According to Nairobi News, President Ruto lavishly recognized Ms Kipyegon for her outstanding achievements. She was granted Sh 5 million in cash and a three-bedroom property on Park Road in Nairobi valued at Sh 6 million.

"I'd want to commend Faith on being a model of discipline and consistency. More than any other form of branding, our athletes represent Kenya worldwide. "We want to honour and reward them appropriately," stated President Ruto.

Ms Kipyegon, for her part, thanked the President for his warm welcome and the awards, stating that she had not anticipated breaking the two world records. On June 3, 2023, Kipyegon set a new world mark in the 1,500m, clocking 3:49:11 at the Florence Diamond League in Italy. Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba set the previous record of 3:50:07 in 2015.

A week later (June 10, 2023), she broke the 5,000m world record at the Paris Diamond League, running 14:05:20 to break Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia's previous world record of 14:06:62 set in July 2020.


"The new rewards scheme covers the entire spectrum of sports and creative," President Ruto continued. We will have a completely new bundle under this strategy. I want the Ministry to finalize what sort of reward plan would accompany our athletes and creatives, and I will be launching that scheme shortly so that they know how the Kenyan government will stand with them when they shine."

He also advocated that athletes and creative persons who achieve internationally should be awarded diplomatic passports and other awards.