Kenyan medallists to fly Business Class after public outcry over Jepchirchir treatment

In a swift policy reversal, Kenya’s World Athletics Championships medalists will now travel business class after a public uproar over the treatment of Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir.

The controversy erupted on Tuesday when Citizen Digital posted a video showing Jepchirchir, who had just won the women's marathon gold medal in a thrilling duel with Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa in World Athletics Championships on Sunday, seated in economy class on her flight home from Tokyo.

The image sparked immediate outrage among Kenyans, who heavily criticized the national athletics body, Athletics Kenya, for its perceived disrespect towards the nation’s heroes.

Bowing to the public pressure, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports announced a significant change in travel policy for its athletes.

Evans Achoki, the Secretary for Administration at the State Department for Sports, confirmed the new arrangements.

“The travel arrangements have been done and we intend to fly all the medalists in business class… so that they can be rewarded for their good performance and we believe this will motivate them to work harder,” Achoki stated.

The move is seen as a direct response to ensure the country’s top athletes, who bring it immense global prestige, are accorded the honour and comfort they deserve when travelling.