On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Kenyan marathon sensation Kelvin Kiptum was awarded a Sh5 million prize by the government for his remarkable feat of breaking the world marathon record. The official award ceremony was held at Weston Hotel in Nairobi. Sport and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba had the honor of presenting Kiptum with the well-deserved prize.

Kiptum’s historic achievement came at the Chicago Marathon, where he became the first person in history to complete a marathon in under two hours and one minute. This remarkable time shattered the previous world record, which had been held by two-time Olympian Eliud Kipchoge.

President William Ruto’s recent announcement to reward Kenyan athletes who break world records with Sh5 million has further emphasized the government’s commitment to recognizing excellence in sports, arts, and the creative economy. Kiptum now sets his sights on the forthcoming Olympics in Paris, France, where he aims to continue his remarkable journey of athletic triumph.