President Ruto: 500 Athletes to Join Disciplined Forces in New Talent Development Drive
By Kass Digital, NAIROBI,
President William Ruto has announced a major initiative to recruit 500 sportsmen and women into Kenya’s disciplined forces in a bid to boost athletic performance and nurture local talent.
Speaking during a breakfast event at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted Kenya’s athletics team that competed at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the President said the new move will provide athletes with access to structured training, facilities, and career stability.
The Kenya Defence Forces will recruit 200 of the athletes, while the National Police Service will take in 150. The remaining 150 will be absorbed by the Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, and the National Youth Service.
“This will provide the sportsmen and women a base to get effective training and necessary equipment and support to continue raising the standard of sports in our country,” said President Ruto.
He noted that the initiative, agreed upon after consultations with the Chief of Defence Forces and the Inspector-General of Police, is part of a wider plan to position Kenya as a global sporting powerhouse.
The President also celebrated Kenya’s stellar performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where the country bagged 11 medals — 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze — finishing second behind the United States in the overall standings.
As part of the government’s reward scheme, Ruto announced that KSh27 million has been disbursed to the medallists, with each gold medallist receiving KSh3 million, silver medallists KSh2 million, and bronze medallists KSh1 million.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya were in attendance
DP Kindiki praised the athletes for uniting the country and putting Kenya on the global stage.
“Nothing unites Kenyans more than sports. Nothing profiles Kenya globally better than sports, and athletics has been our number one sport,” he said.
Sports CS Salim Mvurya said the government has taken deliberate steps to improve athlete welfare, addressing issues such as poor travel arrangements and inadequate accommodation.
Star athlete Faith Kipyegon, who won gold in the 1500m and silver in the 5000m in Tokyo, thanked the government for the increased support.
