Ruto hosts Mary Moraa, Faith Kipyegon

By Peter Ochieng 

President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday played host to world beaters, Mary Moraa and Faith Kipyegon, at State House, Nairobi.

Moraa won gold in the 800 women race, while Kipyegon brought home two gold medals, from the just concluded World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Kipyegon, world record holder in both the 1,500m and 5,000m won gold in the two categories in Hungary, to cap off what looks like the best season in her athletics career.

Photos shared by the president on social media depict the two athletes laughing heartily to what seems to be jokes from Ruto and his deputy.

Ruto applauded the two stars, adding that there's a lot that one goes through, before winning a medal, leave alone gold in a given competition.

"Winning medals starts with meticulous, intense and quality preparations," said the Head of State. He said Kenya will fund a three month residential training camp for Kenyan athletes, ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

"For the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, we will support a three-month residential camp for the Kenyan team. This will restore our position as an athletics powerhouse in the world."

During the World Athletics Championships, Kenya was ranked 1st in Africa and 5th in the world.

Kipyegon and Moraa were the only gold winners.

On Friday, the duo were awarded during an awards ceremony attended by president Ruto, in Nairobi.

Kipyegon was awarded Sh4 million for her the two medals feat, while Moraa walked home with Sh2 million.

In total, team Kenya to Budapest was awarded Sh21 million.

Silver medalists (Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m), Beatrice Chepkoech (3000m steeplechase) and Daniel Simiu (10,000m) were rewarded Sh1.5 million each while the bronze medalists (Beatrice Chebet (5000m), Faith Cherotich (3000m steeplechase), Jacob Krop (5000m) and Abraham Kibiwot (3000m steeplechase) were rewarded Sh1million each.

All the finalists were awarded Sh50,000 each.