
Grand Welcome for Reigning World Champion Faith Kipyegon, EGH at County Headquarters
Written By James M Alumera
It was colour, pomp and song today at the Nakuru County Headquarters as H.E. Governor Susan Kihika hosted world record holder and champion Faith Kipyegon and crowned her the county’s heroine.
The event brought together sports personalities across the sports disciplines such as taekwondo, cyclists, footballers (Talanta Hela and Nakuru City Queens), cultural singers and dancers, the NYS band and athletes drawn from all corners of the County.
Each discipline through its leaders had the opportunity to showcase their talents before the quests with all the ability and skills capabilities and in a time the team led by the Governor and Faith joined the gig.
Faith Kipyegon is the current world record holder for the 1500 Metres both set in 2023 and the former world record holder for the 5000 metres.
Governor Kihika also had the opportunity to highlight the development of projects across the county starting with Afraha Stadium which is at 90% completion and ready to host the CAF Cup between Kenya and Tanzania.
She awarded Faith with numerous prizes together with Ksh.500,000 as an appreciation token for being the standing champ. She urged the leadership of the Nakuru County Assembly to rename Keringet Stadium after Faith Kipyegon.
Faith urged the Governor to fast-track the completion of Keringet Stadium to enable the nurture of talent from young athletes from Kuresoi South Sub-county. She couldn’t hide her jovial mood to feel so much welcomed at home by the governor.
The Chief Officer for Youth, Sports, Talent and Resource Mobilization Pastor Alex Maina appreciated Governor Susan Kihika for welcoming Faith Kipyegon into the County. He highlighted the government’s support to each sporting discipline and recommended plans to empower young people across the county and enable them to generate decent income generation.
The leadership of Athletics Kenya had the opportunity led by City Board Member Chepta Rono and i quote “We have overtaken North Rift in terms of Athletics” and urged the Governor to support the young stars from Keringet and described Faith as a role model for young generation both locally and internationally.
The County Executive Committee Member for Youth, Sports, Gender and Social Services Josephine Atieno couldn’t hide her joy towards Faith for giving Nakuru County such positive Publicity. She also mentioned the department’s calendar of events and thus stated the impacts of KICOSCA and Talanta Hela’s initiative.
The County Assembly leadership led by the Majority Leader congratulated Faith for her great work, being an icon to the young generation and zeal to uplift the County’s and country’s flag high. And urged the Governor to fast-track the sports facilities to enable young access and aid their potential capabilities in terms of training.
The County Assembly Speaker congratulated Faith for her hard work, consistency and discipline enabling her to emerge as the world champion. Lauded the Governor for allocating enough budget for Sports equipment to aid the purchase of Sports equipment and nurture and scout more talents at the grassroots level.
The County’s Deputy Governor H.E David Kones appreciated the Governor for creating an avenue to gather all sportspeople across the county at the County’s Headquarters. Lauded Faith for being a role model for today’s generation.
Present during the occasion Faith Spouse, Sister and Team Management, County Secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura, MCAs, CECMs, Chief Officers, Representatives from the Athletics Kenya among others