Kenya’s Deaflympics stars land to warm welcome, Government confirms KSh36m reward
A section of Team Kenya's athletes who competed at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan after their arrival at the JKIA in Nairobi on November 27, 2025. Photo by Bernard Charuiyot/Citizen Digital
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Kenya’s Deaflympics team received a warm welcome at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday as the government confirmed a KSh36 million reward for their strong medal haul in Tokyo - Japan.
Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi said the rewards will be issued according to the ministry’s policy: KSh3 million for gold, KSh2 million for silver, KSh1 million for bronze, and KSh5 million for the world record holder.
“We are prepared and ready with KSh36 million to reward our medallists according to the ministry policy. We are proud that the team brought home a world record and a Deaflympics record,” PS Mwangi said.
The first arrivals included James Mwanza Musembi, who won men’s 1500m gold and 5000m silver, and Elkana Kiprop Rono, the men’s 800m gold and 1500m silver medallist. Rono, speaking through translator Minnie Mbesa, expressed his joy.
“I am feeling very good. This is a great achievement. My medals will inspire other deaf people. I am sure my win will encourage them to follow this path,” Rono said.
The Tokyo team, led by head coach Caroline Kola and assistant coach Samuel Kibet, produced new stars while reviving old champions.
Coach Kola praised the athletes’ resilience despite the cold weather in Tokyo.
“We want to thank God. As PS Mwangi said, the conditions in Tokyo were tough, but our team braved it. I call upon parents with deaf children to come out and give them a chance to train. They might be the next champions,” Kola said.
Team Kenya ended the 25th Deaflympics with 15 medals five gold, six silver, and four bronze and set both a world and Deaflympics record.
The star of the Games was Ian Wambui Kahinga, who clocked 13:52.83 to break a 12-year-old world record previously held by fellow Kenyan Simon Kubai Cherono He led a Kenyan 1–2–3 with Musembi taking silver and Nelson Kipkorir bronze. Wambui also won gold in the 10,000m.
Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi said the rewards will be issued according to the ministry’s policy: KSh3 million for gold, KSh2 million for silver, KSh1 million for bronze, and KSh5 million for the world record holder.
“We are prepared and ready with KSh36 million to reward our medallists according to the ministry policy. We are proud that the team brought home a world record and a Deaflympics record,” PS Mwangi said.
The first arrivals included James Mwanza Musembi, who won men’s 1500m gold and 5000m silver, and Elkana Kiprop Rono, the men’s 800m gold and 1500m silver medallist. Rono, speaking through translator Minnie Mbesa, expressed his joy.
“I am feeling very good. This is a great achievement. My medals will inspire other deaf people. I am sure my win will encourage them to follow this path,” Rono said.
The Tokyo team, led by head coach Caroline Kola and assistant coach Samuel Kibet, produced new stars while reviving old champions.
Coach Kola praised the athletes’ resilience despite the cold weather in Tokyo.
“We want to thank God. As PS Mwangi said, the conditions in Tokyo were tough, but our team braved it. I call upon parents with deaf children to come out and give them a chance to train. They might be the next champions,” Kola said.
Team Kenya ended the 25th Deaflympics with 15 medals five gold, six silver, and four bronze and set both a world and Deaflympics record.
The star of the Games was Ian Wambui Kahinga, who clocked 13:52.83 to break a 12-year-old world record previously held by fellow Kenyan Simon Kubai Cherono He led a Kenyan 1–2–3 with Musembi taking silver and Nelson Kipkorir bronze. Wambui also won gold in the 10,000m.
The mixed 4x400m relay team — Simon Gona Menza, Linet Fwamba Nanjala, Isaac Tongi Atima , and Beryl Atieno Wamira grabbed silver.
Sprinter Linet Fwamba Nanjala admitted Tokyo was a tough outing.
“To be honest, it was very tough there. But women will try again in the next Deaflympics to bring gold. I want to thank the government for the reward scheme,” Nanjala said.
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