Ruto orders recruitment of 500 Sportsmen and Women into discipline services

Five hundred sportsmen and women will be hired into various disciplines to enhance talent development and secure a life after sport, President William Ruto has directed.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News

The Head of State issued the directive on Thursday, October 2, when he hosted Kenya’s athletics team at State House for a breakfast and reward ceremony following their successful outing at the Tokyo World Championships.

For decades, the discipline services have acted as a hub for nurturing talent, particularly in athletics, often tapping promising athletes after they complete secondary education.

“In support of our sportsmen and women in Kenya, I have discussed with our discipline services, both our KDF and National Police Service, and we have agreed that a total of 500 sportsmen will be hired into our discipline services to provide them a base where they can get the necessary equipment and support to continue raising the standard of sports in our country,” Ruto stated.

He added, “I have discussed with the CDF, and in the recruitment that is going on now, 200 sportsmen and women will be hired into the military. I have also discussed with the Inspector General of Police, and he has confirmed to me that 150 sportsmen and women will be hired into the NPS."

“I will be discussing with the other discipline forces, Prisons, KWS, and NYS, so that we can carry more sportsmen and women into these agencies.”

Gor Mahia receive hundreds of thousands from Sports CS Salim Mvurya

Currently, only Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Ulinzi Stars recruits and trains football talent within the military, while the National Police Service (NPS) hires players who are civilians and not practicing in the service.

Africa’s 100 m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala, 800 m world record holder David Rudisha, steeplechase legend Ezekiel Kemboi, newly crowned women’s 800 m world champion Lilian Odira, Olympic bronze medalist Mary Moraa, multiple Olympic and world champion Beatrice Chebet, and javelin star Julius Yego are among the top athletes in the forces.

Gor Mahia receive hundreds of thousands from Sports CS Salim Mvurya

Of the seven gold medallists from the Tokyo World Championships, only Chebet (NPS) and Odira (Prisons) serve in the forces.

Triple Olympic and world champion Faith Kipyegon, men’s 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, women’s 3000m steeplechase gold medalist Faith Cherotich, and marathoner Peres Jepchirchir are all civilians.

The Ministry of Sports spent Ksh 27 million in prize money for the team, with gold medalists receiving Ksh 3 million each, silver medalists Ksh 2 million, and bronze medalists Ksh 1 million.