Silverio Omari
As the Kenyan athletes returned home after their outstanding performance in Paris—where they not only claimed gold but also set new records—there was a natural expectation of a grand celebration to honor the men and women who dominated in Africa and brought glory to the nation. However, reality fell short of expectations.
Despite their impressive display of rare athletic skill, the Kenyan athletes arrived to a rather chilly reception. Some even landed at night, only to find themselves stranded at the airport, scrambling to book digital taxis to reach their destinations.
As the final group of athletes arrived, Citizen TV captured the unfortunate scene that unfolded. The athletes were gathered in the airport lobby, looking lost and confused, while Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen seemed equally disoriented. Their return was overshadowed by the global fanfare for other athletes, especially Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who was met with a jubilant reception from tens of thousands of ecstatic fans at the national stadium.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a few traditional dancers dressed in tribal attire attempted to provide some muted entertainment, but the scene remained a lackluster display of deflated egos, injured spirits, and dashed hopes.
Earlier, videos circulating online showed Kenyan athletes wandering around the airport’s parking lot after their arrival, with claims that the Sports Ministry had not provided an official bus to transport them. As a result, they resorted to using online cab services to get home.
In stark contrast, Botswana was engulfed in a celebratory mood. The President gave citizens the afternoon off to revel in Tebogo’s stunning victory, which was followed by a thunderous welcome at the national stadium. Wearing a conqueror’s smile and a sky-blue jumper, Tebogo and the entire 4x100m relay team entered the stadium triumphantly, greeted by roaring crowds and sparkling skies.
As the President watched and flags waved, Tebogo and his team were ushered onto a red carpet, walking like global statesmen as they acknowledged the salutations of their proud countrymen. The event made headlines around the world, from the US to Europe, Asia to Australia.
This was Botswana’s way of celebrating their native talents and honoring them while they could still enjoy the moment.
Back in Kenya, after the team finally arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and were eventually received by the Sports Cabinet Secretary, they quickly disappeared into obscurity, possibly whisked away to sub-par hotels where they would wait for the next government communication. In Eldoret, the disillusionment continued as images of poorly crafted statues intended to honor the athletes circulated online, further damaging national pride and eroding the athletes’ faith in their own country.
The statues in Eldoret were far from the masterpieces one might expect. Instead, they were a sloppy attempt at art—amateurish in appearance, as if a child had been left to tinker with clay. The outcry from Kenyans was swift, and the city reportedly took down the eyesores soon after.
In an effort to salvage the situation, President William Ruto hosted the entire team at the Eldoret State Lodge on Thursday.
The substandard treatment of Kenyan athletes has not gone unnoticed, with many recalling past occasions (like in 1968) when Kenyans would line the streets, cheering in awe, to welcome their heroes.
Commenting on the issue, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah said, “Kenyan athletes truly embody dedication, hard work, and perseverance in their pursuit of excellence.”
“They deserve all the recognition and applause for their remarkable achievements at the #Paris2024Olympics. It’s unfortunate that there is a lack of substantial state support and investment in their talents and endeavors.”
“Hopefully, this is a wake-up call to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts, and to CS Murkomen, to allocate more resources, proper policy, and infrastructure to help these incredible athletes reach even greater heights in the future and to harness and nurture the next generation of athletes.”
Winning a medal is undoubtedly a fantastic feeling, but nothing compares to the outpouring of love from the people you work so hard to represent and make proud.
Perhaps if Kenya truly cared, 3000m Steeplechase gold medalist Winfred Yavi, who now represents Bahrain, would have brought the medal home to Kenya instead of to an adopted Arab nation.
While the athletes may currently be basking in the glory of dining with the President and mingling with the powerful, that feeling should not be fleeting. It should be a part of their everyday lives, immortalized in the respect and support they receive from their nation.
Dj Vnyash
