Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika gifted award-winning athlete Faith Kipyegon a Ksh 500,000 cheque on Friday during a homecoming ceremony at the county's headquarters.
Kipyegon was received by Governor Susan Kihika in a heroic ceremony after she was named the World Female Athlete of the Year for Track Events by the Confederation of African Athletics.
The county boss honoured the athlete with a medal noting that the county recognised her as a heroine and an important stakeholder.
Kihika also honoured her with a Nakuru county flag citing that the athlete was an ambassador of the county nationally and internationally.
“East or West home is best. This is a representation that Faith is our ambassador everywhere she goes within the country to other counties and abroad”, cited the governor.
In an interesting twist, the athlete offered the governor a pair of sports shoes and urged her to empower sports personalities in the county.
Kipyegon, in her speech, also noted that she was keen on motivating and empowering women in the county.
Speaking to the attendees, Faith expressed her happiness after being received in her native home, noting that she began her career in Nakuru before moving to Uasin Gishu.
She also motivated young people in the county emphasising that success requires discipline, consistency and patience.
Kipyegon is a native of the county and was raised on a farm in a village near Keringet. She is the eighth of nine children.
The multiple award Olympics 1500M champion was crowned as the world athlete alongside Kenyan marathon world holder Kelvin Kiptum in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Earlier this year, during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, President Wiliam Ruto also honoured the athlete with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart award (EGH).
