Kenyan sportsmen and women delivered stellar performances in 2024, excelling across various disciplines and flying the national flag high on the global stage.
From athletics to rugby, they brought pride and joy to the nation with their remarkable achievements.
Dominating Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Kenyan athletes made a resounding impact at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, winning an impressive 11 medals—four gold, two silver, and five bronze. This feat placed Kenya 17th globally and first in Africa.
Faith Kipyegon captivated the world with her masterclass performance in the 1,500m race, claiming gold with a record time of 3:51:29, marking her third consecutive Olympic title in the event. She also secured a silver medal in the 5,000m women’s race.
Beatrice Chebet showcased her dominance in long-distance running, clinching double gold in the women’s 5,000m and 10,000m races.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi inspired Kenyans with his outstanding performance in the men’s 800m, where he earned a well-deserved gold medal.
To honor the medalists, President William Ruto awarded cash prizes of Ksh3 million to each gold medalist, Ksh2 million to silver medalists, and Ksh1 million to bronze medalists.
Shujaa’s Return to the World Series
The Kenya National Rugby Sevens team, Shujaa, made a triumphant return to the HSBC World Rugby Series on June 2, 2024, after being relegated in 2023.
Shujaa secured their spot in the series by defeating Germany 33-15 in a relegation-promotion playoff match held in Madrid, Spain.
This marked a significant comeback for a team that had been a heavyweight in the challenger series and spent 19 years in the main series before their 2023 relegation.
To celebrate their achievement, then Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba awarded the team Ksh5.7 million.
World Marathon Records and Dominance
Kenyan athletes continued to dominate marathons worldwide, breaking records and winning titles.
- Peres Jepchirchir set a women’s-only marathon world record at the London Marathon in April 2024, finishing in 2:16:16.
- Alexander Munyao secured gold in the men’s marathon at the same event, clocking 2:04:01.
In the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on May 25, 2024, Beatrice Chebet became the first woman to run 10,000m in under 29 minutes, setting a world record of 28:54:14, which was later ratified by World Athletics.
At the Chicago Marathon on October 13, Ruth Chepng’etich shattered the women’s marathon world record, becoming the first woman to run under 2 hours and 10 minutes. She clocked 2:09:56, a record officially recognized by World Athletics.
Kenya’s athletes and teams once again demonstrated their exceptional talent, resilience, and determination, cementing the country’s reputation as a global sporting powerhouse.
