Kenyan athletes who bring glory to the country on the international stage could soon receive bigger cash rewards and lifetime benefits if a new motion in Parliament sails through.
Mwingi West MP Charles Ngusya Nguna has tabled a motion seeking the creation of a standardised reward scheme for athletes and sportsmen representing Kenya in global competitions. The proposal aims to move away from ad hoc rewards and establish a structured system of recognition and welfare for sports icons.
If approved, the scheme would see athletes who set new world records receive Sh6 million, with gold medalists earning Sh4 million, silver medalists Sh3 million, and bronze winners Sh2 million. Beyond the financial windfall, Nguna wants Kenya’s sports heroes to be accorded the respect and dignity befitting their global stature.
His motion recommends that established athletes be issued diplomatic passports and appointed as goodwill ambassadors, while also being conferred with national honours. To secure their wellbeing, he further proposes comprehensive medical cover and the establishment of a retirement and social protection scheme that would cushion athletes through contributory insurance and savings plans once they hang up their spikes.
Kenya’s Strong Showing in Tokyo 2025
Nguna’s proposals come at a time when Kenya is basking in glory at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo 2025. By Day 8 of the nine-day event, Kenya had bagged 10 medals — 6 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze — finishing second globally behind the United States, which managed 20 medals. With seven golds already in the bag, Kenya cemented its place as the most successful athletics nation outside the U.S., a country with fifty states and incomparable resources.
On his social media pages, Nguna congratulated the team, singling out Olympic and world champions Faith Kipyegon and Emmanuel Wanyonyi as symbols of Kenya’s dominance. “Everyone has the fire, but the champions know when to ignite the spark… Kenya is the best,” he wrote.
Why It Matters
Kenya has long dominated middle- and long-distance athletics, producing world-beaters admired globally, yet many stars fade into poverty after retirement. For Nguna, this paradox must end. His motion signals a push to institutionalise rewards that both motivate current competitors and protect retired athletes from destitution.
“Kenyan athletes are our best ambassadors. They deserve consistent recognition and security, not just applause when they win medals,” Nguna told Parliament.
Concerns and Next Steps
While the proposal has generated excitement, some critics question whether the Treasury can sustain such a lavish scheme without straining public finances. Others urge that fairness be guaranteed so that lesser-known sporting disciplines are not sidelined in favour of athletics alone.
The motion will now be debated in the National Assembly before being handed to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts for implementation. If adopted, it could mark a turning point in how Kenya treats its sporting heroes — from one-off gestures to a predictable, dignified system of recognition.
