Kenyan distance running legend Henry Rono. PHOTO | FILE |
While Kenyans celebrated the 62nd Madaraka Day Anniversary at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County on June 1, 2025, the minds of Kenya’s legendary athletes, John Ngugi and Steve Muchoki, were on events that took place decades ago.
Henry Rono, the Kenyan legendary runner who broke four records inside 81 days in 1987, would have been deep in thought if he were alive.
Henry Rono (right) with Steve Muchoki reflect on the good old days when they were both honoured by President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta a day before the Head of State's death on August 22, 1978.
While at the peak of their careers, the three legendary athletes made Kenya proud globally, but decrees by two different Kenyan heads of state that they be awarded with parcels of land and livestock remain unfulfilled to date.
On August 20, 1978, celebratory chants rented the air at State House, Mombasa, as Kenya’s founding president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, received the Kenyan team that performed exemplary at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.
The athletes were returning the Kenyan flag that they had flown so high in Edmonton, where Kenyans had been declared champions of boxing with a total of seven medals in the sport - two gold, two silver, and three bronze.
Legendary athlete the late Henry Rono (left) and with retired Kenyan boxer Steve Muchoki.
Overall, the country won 18 medals - seven gold, six silver, and five bronze and finished fourth overall behind host nation Canada (109 medals), England (87), and Australia (84).
Those who won gold medals in boxing for Kenya at the Games were Muchoki in light flyweight and his younger brother, Michael “ Hands of Stone” Irungu, in flyweight.
Muchoki had beaten Francis Kabala of Zambia to retain the title he had won during the 1974 Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
When Mzee Kenyatta stood for the next part of the State function, there was silence. Two names were called out, starting with Rono.
He bowed as President Kenyatta decorated him with the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart.
He had broken four world records inside 81 days in 1978. Muchoki followed, and President Kenyatta placed around his neck the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear.
Before winning gold in Edmonton, Canada, Muchoki had already won the World Amateur Boxing Championship title in Belgrade, the former Yugoslavia, where he was also voted the World Best Boxer in the tournament.
According to Muchoki, Mzee, after honouring Rono and him, turned to Mbiyu Koinange, then Minister of State in the Office of the President, who was taking notes.
President Kenyatta told Koinange to indicate that the two (Rono and Muchoki) each be given 10 grade cows, 10 quality sheep or goats, and a piece of land.
Says Muchoki: “I would like to put the record straight because of what has been reported by the media over the years concerning the gifts and the type of State Commendation I received.
The animals he mentioned and even turned to Koinange to ascertain that he had understood were 10 of each type for Rono and I, and not eight of each as often reported in the media.
The size of the shamba was not specified. The State Commendation I received was Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and not Order of the Burning Spear (OBS) as often reported by the media.
Mzee said all these in front of many people, including members of his family, high-ranking government officials, among them Major Marsden Madoka, and Permanent Secretary Darius Mbela.”
When Muchoki tried to follow up on President Kenyatta’s promise of gifts, he was first told to wait for communication.
Upon realising that no communication was forthcoming, he went back to PS Mbela, who simply and casually told Muchoki that “those were just politics.”
Yes, politics for heroes who sacrificed so much and conquered the world in their respective disciplines, and flew the Kenyan flag high.
Five-time World Cross Country Championship gold medallist John Ngugi, who also won an Olympic gold medal in 5000 metres race at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, is another victim of neglect.
John Ngugi leads Moses Tanui at a past race.
President Daniel arap Moi highly appreciated Ngugi’s achievements and ordered that he be given 50 acres of land in Nyandarua.
In those days, matters involving land allocation were directed to the District Commissioner (DC) of the area.
In this case, Ngugi reported to Nyahururu DC’s office, where he was decorated with a State Commendation and was told by the DC that his award did not include land. In his own words, he did not want to argue but wondered why the president’s orders were being ignored.
Retired Kenyan long distance runner John Ngugi poses for a photo on July 18 2024 at the Nation Centre building in Nairobi.
Says Ngugi: “President Moi meant well and I know those of us who came with medals from the Olympics were directed to their respective regions to be allocated land in addition to State medals. Julius Kariuki told me he was given land somewhere in the Rift Valley.
“President William Ruto is doing a lot by rewarding handsomely our sportsmen and sportswomen who are flying the Kenyan flag high, far, and wide.
He should come to the rescue of those of us who did our part selflessly and were denied what previous presidents had directed that we be given.
The likes of Rono and Muchoki and maybe others deserve better.”
The gold medallists in Seoul were Paul Ereng (800m), Peter Rono (1500m), John Kariuki (3000m Steeplechase), John Ngugi (5000m), and boxer Robert Wangila (welterweight).
Former athlete Justina Chepchirchir (second right) and friends mourn with the late Henry Rono wife Jennifer Jepkemboi (right) in Nairobi on February 27, 2024 as they prepared to transport the body of the track legend to Nakuru.
Silver medallists were Peter Koech (3000m Steeplechase), Douglas Wakiihuri (marathon). Bronze medalists were Kipkemboi Kimeli (10,000m), and boxer Christopher Sande (middleweight).
Rono died in February last year, at 72 years but life has not been easy for his wife Jennifer Jepkemboi as she struggles with her children and grandchildren.
Says Jennifer, who lives in Molo: “I really appreciate what President William Ruto is doing by awarding medals, millions of shillings, and other forms of high-value gifts to our sports heroes and heroines.
Mourners view the body of the late track legend Henry Rono at his home in Seguton village, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, on February 27, 2024 after it arrived from Nairobi.
However, I am deeply pained to remember that my late husband, Henry Rono, and Stephen Muchoki were awarded various gifts by President Kenyatta, which, to date, almost 47 years down the line, have never been given.
The same applies to John Ngugi, who was rewarded with a parcel of land after the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It has never been fulfilled. I pray that President Ruto clears these injustices.”
Currently, the government rewards Olympic and world champions with Sh3 million (gold), Sh2 million (silver), and Sh1 million (bronze). The government offers Sh5 million to Kenyans who break the world record.
