Kenya rewards Tokyo 2020 Olympics medalists

MOMBASA, Kenya

Kenyan athletes that participated at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, received a major boost on Monday, after the government announced a cash bonus for their efforts.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that all athletes would receive a uniform token of Ksh200,000 ($1,900) for their efforts.

Gold medalists at the games were however awarded Ksh1 million ($9,000), silver medalists Ksh750,000 ($6,800) while bronze medalists were awarded Ksh500,000 ($4,600).

President Kenyatta received a contingent of the athletes on Monday at State House Mombasa.

“We are here to celebrate your victory which is Kenya’s victory. And we are here to congratulate you, to say how proud we are of your performances as individuals and as a team,” President Kenyatta said.

He added that the government would continue partnering with all stakeholders in the sports sector to ensure the country retains its talents by creating a conducive environment and giving good incentives for their performance.

Kenyatta called on the Ministry of Sports and all partners to layout a system of identifying and developing sports talent from their formative ages so as to expand the country’s pool of athletes.

“We want to continue to ensure that we not only do our best to retain our athletes but also we are constantly building up our sportsmen and women from an early age,” he said.

Kenya was the top ranked African country at the delayed Summer Games after garnering a total of 10 medals (4 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze).