Kelvin Kiptum is the newest millionaire in town. This follows the Government’s move to award him Ksh5 million for breaking the Men’s Marathon World Record in Chicago.
While presenting the award to the athlete in a reception hosted by the Ministry of Sports, Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba revealed that Kiptum was a beneficiary of the newly revised reward scheme being implemented by the government.
The new scheme guarantees record breakers Ksh5 million cash awards.
“Kiptum becomes the second recipient, after Faith Kipyegon, to enjoy the newly revised reward scheme that we are currently implementing as a ministry,” noted CS Ababu.
“It now becomes more clear for any athlete to plan ahead of any race knowing full well what awaits them if they go ahead and break a record or win a medal in the competition,” he added.
Develop, Nurture and monetise talents
The CS further lauded Kiptum for an amazing race that saw him become the first man to run a sub 2.01 and register a world record of 2.00.35 smashing a record previously held by Eliud Kipchoge.
“As part of our #TalantaHela initiative, the ministry targets to achieve three things – Develop, Nurture and monetise talents. Today we are proud as a ministry to put #PesaMfukoni for your talent and to reward you for conquering the Chicago course and the world at large,” the CS added.
Ababu also conveyed President William Ruto’s appreciation to Kelvin Kiptum for his record-breaking heroics, assuring him of the Government’s continued support for talent development, to build sustainable careers that contribute to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Present during the ceremony was Athletics Kenya Senior Vice President Paul Mutwili, Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir, Elgeyo Marakwet Sports County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Purity Koima as well as a host of past and present athletics icons.
