Balance confirmed: Safaricom has sent Sh17m to London medallists’ accounts

• Visually impaired runner David Korir, even though not a gold medallist, was the chief beneficiary with a Sh2.4 million payment for winning silver in the 1,500m and 800m T12 category
• Also scooping Sh2 million was, easily the star of the Kenya team in London David Rudisha, who won the 800m, going under his own world record time for good measure
• The most pleasant surprise from Safaricom was the honouring of Mushai’s guide James Boit, who got a similar Sh2 million reward for helping his world-beating partner to gold and a world record

Safaricom on Tuesday honoured the London Olympics and Paralympics medallists with cash awards totalling Sh17.2 million.

Visually impaired runner David Korir, even though not a gold medallist, was the chief beneficiary with a Sh2.4 million payment for winning silver in the 1,500m and 800m T12 category and also breaking the world record in the former race.

Visually impaired Samuel Mushai together with les autres runner Abraham Tarbei both got Sh2 million for winning gold in their respective 1,500m races and also breaking world records.

Also scooping Sh2 million was, easily the star of the Kenya team in London David Rudisha, who won the 800m, going under his own world record time for good measure.

But the most pleasant surprise from Safaricom was the honouring of Mushai’s guide James Boit, who got a similar Sh2 million reward for helping his world-beating partner to gold and a world record.

This is the first time that a corporate organisation has rewarded running partners of Paralympic competitors.

“I am so glad and appreciate what Safaricom have done. We do not get this kind of money. I did not expect to earn this much. I only expected to get rewarded for winning a medal. This is good,” Muchai said.

His partner Boit was ecstatic: “I expected something but not this kind of money. I am so happy Safaricom have recognized the guides to. We work so hard together. He (Muchai) has benefit and so have I,” Boit said.

Funding programmes

“We can now work harder for the up coming World Championships,” Boit added. The duo ran in the 1,500m T11 category.

During the presentation ceremony Safaricom’s chief executive officer Bob Collymore said the communication service provider will commit to supporting and funding programmes in short distance running.

“I think it is time we all got together to find out how we can take our sportsmen to the next level. We need to work together with athletics bodies and with government to invest in facilities and programmes that help us develop strength in a wide range of athletics events such as sprints and short distance running,” Collymore said.

World record holding Rudisha said the reward will motive future stars to take up sports. “When you see something like this, the young ones will be encouraged that running is a career that they can earn from,” Rudisha said.

Spirit of the Paralymics

Others rewarded included Ezekiel Kemboi (Sh1 million) for winning the 3,000m steeplechase gold and Mary Nakhumicha (Sh1 million) for getting the Dr Whang Youn Dai Award in recognition of exemplifying the spirit of the Paralymics Games. Abel Kirui (marathon), Vivian Cheruiyot (5,000), Priscah Jeptoo (marathon) and Sally Kipyego (10,000m) got Sh600,000 each for their silver medals.

Bronze medallists Wilson Kipsang (marathon), Thomas Longosiwa (5,000m), Timothy Kitum (800m) and Abel Mutai (3,000 steeplechase) got Sh300,000 each.