Former multiple world record holder Henry Rono laid to rest

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba led other government officials and a battery of athletes-led by legendary distance runner Kipchoge Keino-in paying their last respect to the fallen Kenyan legend.

Namwamba, who honoured Rono as one of Kenya’s athletics trailblazers, said the government was keen to honour active and retired athletes.

“Unlike the past where an athlete would break a record and just go back home as if he had done nothing for this country, recently we’ve moved to respect our record breaking athletes.

“When our triumphant athletes return home, nowadays they get a warm reception, we host them and then hand them a hefty cheque of Sh. 5 million and a three-bedroom house, that’s how we’ve started to respect our athletes,” said Namwamba.

Namwamba also urged the Paris-bound athletes to reclaim the 3,000 steeplechase crown at Olympic Games in honour of Rono.

“Rono at his prime missed two consecutive Olympics in 1976 and 1980, where he would have won gold medals. Also, Kiptum (Kelvin) whom we buried last week was preparing to participate in his first Olympics but we lost him before fulfilling that dream.

“So, for our colleagues who are going to Paris, we urge them to win many medals as a proper tribute for these two athletes who did not get the chance to grace the Olympics,” he added.

Rono was not lucky to compete at the Olympics stage as Kenya boycotted both the 1976 and 1980 Games held in Montreal, Canada and Moscow, Russia respectively,

Rono shot to global prominence when he broke four world records in a space of 81 days — a feat yet to be replicated to date.

He represented Kenya at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada where he bagged gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase and 5000m. The same year he also bagged gold in 3000m steeplechase and 10,000m at the All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria.

He also made history by breaking four world records over 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m and 10,000m.

Born in Kiptaragon Village in Nandi County, Rono would later relocate to the US in 1986 where he spent 33 years before returning home in 2019.

Rono died February 14 and he has left behind his wife, three children and seven grandchildren.

On his part, Sports PS Eng. Peter Tum hailed the contributions of athletes in the country saying the government is committed in fulfilling its commitment in the appraisals of Kenyan Sportsmen.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang who was also in attendance, urges the national government to put more emphasis on the welfare of Kenyan sportsmen urging the awarding program spearheaded by the Kenya Kwanza government to prioritise on retired athletes in the country.

“Let’s not focus on active athletes alone, those who blazed the trail are equally important as they played a huge role in setting the foundation of athletics for this country.”

Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai urged the CS Namwamba to name several infrastructures in the honour of the late Rono, also advocating for sports nurturing from early ages in the country.