Ruto reaffirms government support for athletes ahead of Tokyo World Championships

President William Ruto has challenged Team Kenya heading to Tokyo for the 20th World Athletics Championships to post better results than their 2023 outing.

He said the government has enhanced the reward scheme for athletes who will win medals at global competitions, with gold medallists set to get KSh 3 million, silver medallists KSh 2 million,those winning bronze receiving KSh 1 million.

He also said the government has increased daily allowances of athletes from $60 (KSh7,800) to $200 (KSh26,000) for athletes and from $80 to $300 for officials representing the country abroad.

“We have also enhanced rewards for winners in the Commonwealth Games. The new package raises cash awards for gold medal winners from KSh500,000 to KSh2.5 million, KSh300,000 to KSh1.5 million for silver, and KSh200,000 to KSh1 million for bronze,” he said.

“The Ministry of Sports is going to review other packages to make sure that we encourage the sporting spirit in Kenya,” he added.

President Ruto made the remarks at State House Nairobi on Wednesday when he flagged off athletes who will represent Kenya at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo between September 13 and 21, 2025.

AK President Tuwei pointed out that the Kenyan team has always performed well at world athletics tournaments and expressed confidence that they will maintain the spirit this year.

He also announced that Kenya is bidding to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029 or 2031, a move President Ruto supported.

Team captain Yego commended the government for enhancing athletes’ rewards. .

Kenya will be aiming to better its 2023 outing, where it bagged 3 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals.