Gachagua Recounts 30yrs Ago, He Would Be the Fastest Man in the World

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out to commend athletes for the tremendous work following Faith kipyegon’s win on breaking the 5000metres world record that had been held by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba.

Dibaba had held the previous 1,500m World record of 3:50.07 set in Monaco in July 15, 2015. Gidey Letesenbe, also of Ethiopia held the previous 5,000m world record of 14:06.52 attained in Valencia, Spain in October 7, 2020.

Kipyegon set a new world record as well as the national record in 1,500m when she won Florence Diamond League on June 2, 2023 in Italy before breaking the 5,000m world record a week later with an explosive victory in Paris Diamond, France.

Kipyegon’s victory has been followed by congratulatory messages from netizens who lauded her for the job well done amidst frustrations of economic crisis in the country.

The Deputy president Gachagua’s comment made the headlines when he said that had he known that athletics has a lot of money thirty years ago, he would have been the fastest man in the world. Gachagua claimed people from Mt.Kenya Region had no idea athletes earn that much.

“People from Mt. Kenya Region had no idea athletics has a lot of money. Had I known this thirty years ago, I would have been the fastest man in the world,” Gachagua said.

During the State Reception for Faith Kipyegon and Ferdinand Omanyala at State House Nairobi on Tuesday June 13, 2023, the president also congratulated fast-rising stars Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Mary Moraa and the rest of the World Beating Champions.

President Ruto came out boldly at the reception to award Kipyegon a house worth Kshs. 6M together with a cash price of Kshs. 5M on her victory and Kenya’s win.