Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli received NPS athletes who represented Kenya in the just concluded Olympics at Jogoo House “A”.
Just five days after Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet secured an unprecedented double gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she was promoted to the rank of Corporal within the National Police Service (NPS).
On Wednesday, August 14, Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli received NPS athletes who represented Kenya in the just concluded Olympics at Jogoo House “A”.
The acting IG expressed gratitude to the athletes for their dedication and discipline and consequently promoted not just Chebet, but Abraham Kibiwott to Corporal on Merit.
“Corporal Chebet, a record holder in 10,000m, won two Gold medals after impressive outings in 5000m and 10,000m races, while Abraham Kibiwot won a Bronze medal in the men’s 3000m steeplechase,” the statement by NPS read in part.
Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet salutes Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli who promoted her on August 14, 2024. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE
In the women’s 10,000m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France on August 9, Chebet held off a tense showdown in the final straight between her and Italy’s Nadia Battocletti to clinch victory at a time of 30:43.25, a victory being testament to her relentless dedication and months of rigorous training.
Chebet had only clinched her second gold medal in one week after clinching gold in the women’s 5000m final ahead of her countrywoman, Faith Kipyegon.
In his remarks, Masengeli lauded the Officers for their discipline and commitment which steered them to success, and further urged them to keep off malpractices especially doping.
“DIG-Kenya Police, Mr Eliud Lagat similarly affirmed that the exploits by NPS Officers in both track and field are a clear indication of NPS’s commitment to promoting sports in the Service, and commended the athletes and their technical team,” added the statement.
Men’s 800m gold medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, women’s 800m Bronze winner Mary Moraa and Julius Yego (Javeline), a Senior Sergeant, were also present.
Moraa, who clocked 1:57.42, expressed pride in her achievement, finishing behind Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson and Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma.
Wanyonyi, on his part, clinched victory in the men’s 800m at a time of 1:41.19, defeating his closest challenger, Canadian Marco Arop in a photo finish.
Kenya’s Paris Olympics campaign saw the nation finish 17th in the global standings, leading Africa with a total of 11 medals, four golds, two silvers, and five bronzes, and second overall globally in athletics behind the United States (US).
Among the 11 medals that Kenya received in the Paris Olympics, four were bagged by NPS Officers, which underscores the integral role of the police service in nurturing athletic talent.
A government delegation led by Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Principal Secretary Peter Tum welcomed the athletes back, celebrating their remarkable performances on the world stage.
“We are very happy as a country and as a ministry to receive them back for a job well done,” Murkomen remarked, adding that President William Ruto would host the athletes in Eldoret.
