Nairobi: Kenyan leaders have hailed the country’s athletic heritage and underscored the need to nurture young talent: Speaking during the 2025 Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run held at Chepsaita Secondary School Grounds in Turbo Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula emphasized Kenya’s status as one of the world’s greatest athletics powerhouses. He attributed this recognition to the determination and resilience of Kenyan athletes.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wetang’ula expressed immense pride in the nation’s athletes, noting that Kenya’s national anthem is frequently played across international capitals due to their success. He emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent to ensure Kenya’s continued success in athletics. Wetang’ula pledged ongoing support for the event and called on all leaders to provide opportunities for upcoming athletes. He also advocated for national unity, pride in the country, and support for the government’s efforts toward transforming Kenya’s socio-economic landscape.
Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, highlighting the increasing visibility of succession planning in athletics across the country. Koskei emphasized the need to create spaces for emerging athletes as others retire, to maintain Kenya’s global dominance. He expressed gratitude to participants and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with local communities to strengthen the annual race, with hopes of attracting larger numbers in future editions.
Event Patron, Farouk Kibet, explained that the 2025 edition intentionally excluded the Masters category to spotlight young athletes. He promised that next year’s event would be bigger and better, with new additions to motivate more athletes to participate. Kibet announced that winners in the Under-20 category would travel to Florida to witness the World Cross Country Championships, aiming to inspire their growth. He also mentioned that the prize money awarded would significantly benefit the lives and careers of the young athletes.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, praised the organizers and highlighted the event as a powerful intersection of sport and education. He emphasized the importance of education as the key to the future, encouraging every child to study hard. Prof. Bitok noted that the event aligns with the President’s efforts to strengthen the education sector and provide more opportunities for learners across the country.
The annual Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run continues to grow as a premier grassroots athletics event, spotlighting emerging talent while uniting leaders, communities, and athletes in promoting sports and education.