Multiple world champion Faith Kipyegon has promised to shatter her world titles at next year's Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The fleet-footed middle-distance track sensation pledged to gift the country more titles and honours in the coming months.
She made the remarks after receiving a whopping Sh2 million from President William Ruto following her masterclass act at the just-concluded Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships.
Kipyegon lit up the National Athletics Centre in the Hungarian capital to storm two gold medals in the cutthroat women's 1500m and 5000m races.
"The country should expect better things in the coming months. I still have the energy to deliver more surprises in the future," Kipyegon remarked with a smile.
"By the time I'm running the Olympics next year, I will be ready to win the country more titles. Of course, I'm looking forward to better the two world records," she said.
President Ruto feted Kipyegon at a colourful ceremony hosted by the government to unveil the Talanta Plaza in Upper Hill, Nairobi on Friday.
The multi-storey cutting-edge facility will house the Ministry of Sports and affiliated state departments.
President Ruto lavished praise on the Budapest World Athletics gold medallists for confirming the status of the country as an athletics powerhouse.
"Let me also congratulate the golden ladies, Mary Moraa and Faith Kipyegon. Our congratulations Mary. Congratulations times two Faith. You ladies are a great asset to our country," Ruto said.
"You are the reason why Kenya is the best in Africa. And you are the reason why Kenya is number five together with your team and all the others," Ruto said.
He hailed the duo alongside teammates who stormed the medal podium in Budapest.
"Our medallists from Budapest congratulations, good people. You have made us very proud. And you have our goodwill and support. We will stand by you going into the future. Asante sana," he said.
"Each time the national anthem was played I felt like a global leader in every aspect," Ruto said.
"And it wasn't me, it wasn't Sports CS Ababu Namwamba or any one of us who made that happen. It is you. So, you guys are great. And you have our goodwill and support," Ruto said.
Speaking at the function,Namwamba reiterated the government's commitment to elevating the status of Kenyan sportsmen and women.
"I want to recognise the teams that represented the country at the Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago and the team that represented the country at the Beach Games in Tunisia," Ababu said.
"We also wish to recognise the amazing performance of the women's national volleyball team, Malkia Strikers who won the Africa women's championships, and Team Kenya for the 2023 World Athletics championships," Ababu said.
