President Ruto: 500 sportsmen, women to be recruited to the disciplined forces

Five hundred sportsmen and women will be recruited to the disciplined forces to boost their training and nurture their talent, President William Ruto has said.

The President explained that he had discussed the matter with the Chief of the Defence Forces and the Inspector-General of Police for the Kenya Defence Forces to recruit 200 sportsmen and women, while the National Police Service will hire 150.

He said the Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and the National Youth Service will also recruit the remaining 150 sportsmen and women.

President Ruto explained that this measure will help Kenya position itself as a powerhouse in various sports.

“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,” he said.

The President made the remarks when he hosted the World Athletics Championships 2025 Tokyo team for breakfast at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya were among those present.

At the same time, the President commended the athletics team at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, winning 11 medals - 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze - and coming second to the United States.

“Out of 198 nations in the world, we were second best after the United States. That is the league we play in, the league of champions and excellence. That is where Kenya belongs,” he said.

In recognition of the heroic efforts of the athletes in Tokyo, the President announced that KSh27 million has been disbursed to the medallists.

 “Each gold medallist has received KSh3 million, KSh2 million for each silver medal, and KSh1 million for each bronze in line with my directive,” he said.

In addition, President Ruto said the government will pay half the cost of an affordable house of choice for every medallist.

On integrity in sports, the President instructed the relevant ministry to reorganise the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya to inject professionalism, best practices and international standards.

This measure, he explained, will ensure that Kenyan sport retains the integrity it deserves, and that those who would want to take advantage of athletes have no space.

The President reiterated that resources from the Sports Fund will only be used for the development of sports in the country.

At the same time, President Ruto appealed to Kenyans to never settle for mediocrity or the average, and instead aspire for greatness in every pursuit of life.

He said Kenya is destined for excellence and not the average, noting that the nation is meant to be a global leader.

Saying he is leading from the front in reforming key sectors of the economy, the President said he will lead the effort to take Kenya to the next level.

“It is time to move our country to the next level. What we have done is good, but it is not enough. We need to up our game and make our country truly great,” he said.

In the past three years, President Ruto said the country has recorded significant progress, citing transformation in agriculture that has resulted in increased production and productivity, and reforms in the education system that have improved university funding.

He said the government has rolled out construction of affordable housing, fresh produce markets and hostels, and implemented universal health coverage.

Additionally, the President pointed out that the government has stabilised the economy, saying Kenya has risen from the eighth to sixth largest economy in Africa.

“We have dealt with inflation and managed our exchange rate and interest rates. We are now moving in the right direction,” he said.

Prof Kindiki celebrated the success of the athletes, saying they have brought great honour to the nation.

"Nothing unites Kenyans more than sports. Nothing profiles Kenya globally better than sports, and athletics has been our number one sport,” he said.

Mr Mvurya said the government has stepped up efforts to cater for the welfare of athletes, correcting past wrongs.

“The athletes, sportsmen and women, are no longer complaining about being left at the airport or not getting good accommodation. Those are issues of the past,” he said.

Ms Faith Kipyegon, 1500m gold and 5,000m silver medallist in Tokyo, thanked the government for fully supporting the team.