Matiang'i Issues Statement on Kipchoge Holiday

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has requested Kenyans to ignore a falsified Kenya Gazette notice that had been circulating on social media.

Taking to his social media pages, Matiang'i declared that the document citing that Monday, October 14, would be a public holiday, was fake.

"Notice to all Kenyans. The notice attached is fake. Kindly ignore," he posted online.

A  gazette notice circulating on social media

The fake notice had indicated that the CS had chosen to honour Eliud Kipchoge for shattering the INEOS 1:59 Challenge.

He became the first human to run a 42-kilometre race in under 2 hours: (1:59:40).

Kenyan leaders on Saturday, October 12 celebrated the amazing feat, congratulating the athlete for his achievement. 

"Hearty congratulations Eliud. You've done it, my brother, you've made history and made Kenya super proud while at it. Your win today, against all odds, will inspire tens of future generations to dream big and to aspire for greatness. We celebrate you and wish you God's blessings," President Uhuru Kenyatta stated.

"Your supreme tempo, fatigue-resistance, endurance, compulsion, mental strength, resolve, and tenacity are a manifestation there are no limits when you believe in yourself; undoubtedly the landmark triumph cements Kenya’s position in the globe as an athletics powerhouse," DP Ruto tweeted.

"Congratulations Eliud Kipchoge. You have confirmed to the whole world that no human is limited by being the first man ever to run a 42km marathon race in under two hours. Surely, when a man is down to earth, God is up to something bigger and better," Siaya senator James Orengo wrote on Facebook.

 

Eliud Kipchoge (in white) running in Vienna, Austria in the INEOS 1:59 challenge. He ran in between pacemakers