Ruto Raises Daily Athlete Allowance to Ksh25,000 and Ksh38,000 for Officials

Ruto Raises Daily Athlete Allowance to Ksh25,000 and Ksh38,000 for Officials

President William Ruto has announced sweeping reforms in Kenya’s sports sector, including a significant increase in daily allowances for athletes and officials, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s global competitiveness and rewarding excellence.

The announcement was made at State House, Nairobi, during a ceremony held in honour of marathon sensation Sebastian Sawe, whose recent record-breaking performance has drawn global attention. The reforms are part of broader changes expected under the proposed Sports Bill 2026 framework.

Under the new structure, daily allowances for athletes representing Kenya abroad have been increased from $60 (approximately Ksh6,460) to $200 (about Ksh25,840), while officials’ allowances have risen from $80 (around Ksh10,336) to $300 (approximately Ksh38,760). The revised rates more than triple the previous amounts, marking one of the most substantial policy shifts in athlete welfare in recent years.

President Ruto, while addressing stakeholders, emphasised the government’s commitment to improving conditions for sports professionals. He stated that “daily allowances for athletes have been increased from $60 to $200, and for officials from $80 to $300 when representing the country abroad.”

The Head of State noted that the changes are designed to align Kenya’s compensation structures with international standards, ensuring that athletes and officials are adequately supported when competing on the global stage.

Beyond allowances, the President also outlined revised reward criteria for athletes participating in major competitions. Under the new framework, gold medal winners in athletics will receive Ksh3 million, silver medalists Ksh2 million, and bronze medalists Ksh1 million.

For the Commonwealth Games, gold medal winners will now earn Ksh2.5 million, silver medalists Ksh1.5 million, and bronze medalists Ksh1 million. This represents a notable increase from previous payouts, which stood at Ksh1 million for gold, Ksh750,000 for silver, and Ksh500,000 for bronze.

The reforms come at a time when Kenya continues to assert its dominance in global athletics, particularly in long-distance running. Officials believe the enhanced incentives will motivate athletes to maintain high performance levels while also attracting and retaining emerging talent.

In addition to financial incentives, President Ruto announced the establishment of Constituency Sports Academies across the country. The initiative aims to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level by providing access to training facilities, coaching, and structured development pathways.

Explaining the vision behind the academies, the President said the programme is intended to “give young people access to quality training, modern facilities, and clear pathways into professional sport.”

The government also plans to strengthen governance within the sector through the proposed Sports Bill 2026, which includes provisions for the creation of a National Sports Regulatory Authority. The body will be tasked with enforcing standards, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability across all sporting disciplines.

According to the President, these reforms are part of a broader strategy to position sports as a key driver of economic growth and youth empowerment. He noted that “these measures are designed to support sports development and ensure that our young men and women have every opportunity to nurture and advance their talents.”

Sebastian Sawe became the first beneficiary of the enhanced reward system, receiving Ksh8 million in recognition of his historic marathon achievement. During the ceremony, he was also presented with a customised number plate bearing the digits “1:59:30,” symbolising his record-breaking run.

As Kenya implements these reforms, stakeholders across the sports industry are expected to closely monitor their impact, with many expressing optimism that the changes could usher in a new era of growth, professionalism, and global success for Kenyan athletes.

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Ruto Raises Daily Athlete Allowance to Ksh25,000 and Ksh38,000 for Officials