Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Kenyan athletes to invest their income wisely, to avoid pain after retirement.
Speaking at State House on Tuesday, during the ceremony welcoming world record holders Faith Kipyegon and Ferdinand Omanyala, Gachagua congratulated the athletes for putting Kenya on the world map.
“It is sad when we see people who are very successful and famous live in poverty after retirement. I want to invite Faith…Omanyala to find ways to invest,” Gachagua said.
Deputy president asked Kipyegon, who now holds the 1500m and 5000m World Records, to reach out to him if she needs investment tips.
“Faith, if you have a problem knowing how you can invest whatever you’re going to get, I’m available, I’m a very careful businessman, I can guide you to make sure you succeed,” he said.
The government has awarded Kipyegon Ksh.5 million for one record and a house worth Ksh.6 million for another record.
He expressed his dismay at the sad situation of some famous and successful athletes living in hardship and poverty after retirement.
At the event, Minister of Sports, Arts and Youth Ababu Namwamba thanked the president for his support to the sports and arts department.
“I want to thank you for the consistent support for equity you have announced for sports and entertainment,” said Namwamba.
This comes after the president launched Talanta Hela program, which aims to identify, recruit, promote, market talents.
The minister reiterated that the government will have a prize program and guidelines on how to reward Kenyan athletes who will break the world record by preserving international or regional success.
