High End Properties Owned by Kenyan Athletes

From left to right: Laban Rotich, Lornah Kiplagat and Moses Tanui.
From left to right: Laban Rotich, Lornah Kiplagat and Moses Tanui.
Canva

It's no secret that athletes bag millions of shillings after scooping medals at illustrious global events. The athletes are lauded for putting Kenya on the map in the sports industry.

However, in some cases, a number of athletes have been profiled for squandering their income and later on living a destitute life. Nonetheless, in other cases, some athletes put their money to good use and invest in high rise buildings and posh estates. Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at seven athletes who have cashed in on their craft. 

Lornah Kiplagat

Veteran athlete, Lorna Kiplagat, is a renowned long-distance runner having scooped gold in various events such as Tilburg in 2005, Debrecen in 2006, Udine in 2007 and Rio de Janeiro in 2008. 

An image of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC), located in Eldoret town, owned by Lornah Kiplagat.
An image of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC), located in Eldoret town, owned by Lornah Kiplagat.
HATC / Twitter

She is also notable for winning races such as the Amsterdam Marathon, Osaka Ladies Marathon, Rotterdam Marathon and Los Angeles Marathon. 

The athlete owns the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC), back in her hometown of Iten. The camp, a premier facility for athletes, serves as host to stars such as 800m world record holder David Rudisha, 2014 London Marathon winner Wilson Kipsang, Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe.

Further, the British Athletics hold winter training camps at the centre.

Laban Rotich

The acclaimed athlete won the IAAF World Cup 1,500 metre final in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1998. His personal best stood at 3:29:91.

He participated in various races such as the Commonwealth Games, African Championships and the World Indoor Championships where he scooped gold and silver medals.

Paying tribute to his biggest win in his athletics career, the World Cup final in South Africa, Rotich established a high end building in Eldoret dubbed Johannesburg Plaza. 

Fred Kiprop

A former Amsterdam Marathon winner, Fred Kiprop is a renowned long distance runner who was active in the 1990s. Races that he participated in and won include the 1997 and 1999 Gold Coast Marathon.

The athlete owns Kirem Arcade, which houses a number of local banks in Eldoret.

Moses Kiptanui 

A three-time 3,000m world steeplechase champion and former world record holder, Kiptanui made history by becoming the first man to run the steeplechase in under eight minutes- setting a new world record in the process.

After retiring from athletics, Kiptanui established Utamaduni House in Eldoret. Further, he established Komora Centre in Eldoret and Komora Estate in Nairobi. 

Moses Tanui

Tanui is a two-time Boston Marathon winner and is acclaimed for his world breaking achievement- becoming the first man in the world to run the half marathon in under an hour.

Tanui also won various IAAF Grand Prix races, which later inspired him to establish Grandpri Hotel in Eldoret.

Daniel Komen

Daniel Kipng'etich Komen holds the indoor record for the 3,000 metre race. He currently owns a private school, Potters House Academy, in Eldoret town, among other investments. 

Kipchoge Keino 

Arguably one of the best Kenyan athletes to lace a pair of boots, Kipchoge Keino needs no introduction. The athlete has participated in local and international events, placing himself among the Mount Rushmore of elite athletes.

After retiring from athletics, the two-time Olympic gold medalist was the chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee (KOC), and is an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Further, he established the Kip Keino Sports House in Eldoret in a bid to hone and inspire other upcoming athletes in their crafts.

Kipchoge Keino running during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
Kipchoge Keino running during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
AthleticsStable/ Twitter