In recent years, the world of athletics has witnessed a notable trend; a growing number of Kenyan athletes are switching their national allegiance to compete for other countries.
This phenomenon, driven by a combination of financial incentives, better training opportunities and the quest for international recognition, has sparked significant discussion within the sports community.
This shift raises important questions about national identity, the ethics of sports representation, and the future of Kenya’s rich athletic heritage.
In this article, WoK looks at the stories of these athletes and the motivations behind their decisions.
Stephen Cherono – Qatar
Cherono switched allegiance to Qatar in 2003, adopting the name Saif Saaeed Shaheen.
This move was reportedly motivated by financial incentives, including a rumored payment of up to $1 million and a monthly stipend of $1,000 for life.
His defection came amid a trend of Kenyan athletes seeking better opportunities abroad, often due to inadequate support in Kenya.
Cherono’s switch allowed him to compete internationally for Qatar, where he achieved significant success, including winning the 2003 World Championships in the steeplechase.
Leonard Korir – USA
Korir switched his allegiance to represent the United States in athletics.
The athlete, who was born in Iten, Kenya, joined the U.S. Army through the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program and became a U.S. citizen.
He is part of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which allows elite soldier-athletes to train and compete at the international level while serving in the military.
Korir’s switch to the U.S. team was facilitated by the fast-track to citizenship offered to immigrants in the military after 9/11.
American athletes will receive $37,500 for each gold medal, $22,500 for each silver medal and $15,000 for each bronze medal.
Winfred Yavi – Bahrain
Yavi, a Kenyan-born athlete, switched her allegiance to Bahrain driven by the desire for better athletic opportunities.
She faced stiff competition in Kenya, often missing out on team selections despite rigorous training.
Notably, in 2016, Yavi was third in trials but only the top two were chosen, which deeply frustrated her.
Bahrain offered her a chance to compete at higher levels and invest in her career, leading to her recent Olympic gold in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, where she set a new record.
Norah Jeruto – Kazakhstan
Jeruto switched her allegiance to Kazakhstan in January 2022.
This move allowed her to compete internationally after a three-year wait, as she had been ineligible to represent Kenya during that period.
Jeruto achieved significant success, winning the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2022 World Championships, marking a historic moment as the first Kazakhstani athlete to do so.
Her switch reflects a trend among Kenyan athletes seeking better opportunities and recognition abroad.
Kazakhstan pays medalists $250,000, $150,000 and $75,000 for Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively, according to Wikipedia.
Lonah Chemtai – Israel
Chemtai switched her allegiance to Israel in 2016 after marrying Dan Salpeter, a former Israeli middle-distance and mountain runner who became her running coach.
She left Kenya in 2009 to work as a nanny for the then-ambassador to Israel.
Two years later, she met Salpeter, and they fell in love and married in 2016, which granted Chemtai Israeli citizenship.
Chemtai’s transition to representing Israel was initially driven by personal reasons, but the subsequent support from the Israeli athletic federation solidified her new allegiance.
The combination of personalized coaching, advanced sports science, and financial incentives provided a robust foundation for her success.
The Israeli government pays Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists $263,000, $197,000 and $131,000 respectively.
Abraham Rotich – Bahrain
Rotich switched his allegiance to Bahrain to pursue better athletic opportunities.
This decision aligns with a trend among Kenyan athletes seeking improved financial incentives and competitive prospects abroad.
Rotich has achieved notable success, including winning the 800 meters at the 2012 Diamond League and becoming an Asian champion, highlighting the benefits of his switch for both his career and Bahrain’s athletics program.
Isaac Kimeli – Belgium
Kimeli switched his allegiance to Belgium in order to pursue better opportunities in athletics and a chance to compete at the highest level.
His mother left Kenya for Belgium when he was 4 years old, working as a nurse in a local hospital.
At age 15, Kimeli also left Kenya and reunited with his mother in Belgium, but initially struggled to adapt to the new environment and language.
Kimeli has since become a successful runner for Belgium, winning a silver medal in the 3000 metres at the European Indoor Championships and earning a silver in the 5000 metres at the European U23 Championships.
He has also won multiple individual medals at the European Cross Country Championships. Kimeli qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in both the 5000m and 10,000m events.
The Belgian government pays $54,606, $32,764 and $21,843 for Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively.
Daisy Jepkemei – Kazakhstan
Jepkemei switched her allegiance to Kazakhstan on January 29, 2022, seeking greater competitive opportunities.
Alongside other Kenyan athletes, she aimed to enhance her chances of participating in international events after the World Athletics approved their citizenship applications.
Jepkemei previously represented Kenya, achieving significant success, including winning the 3000m at the 2012 World Junior Championships.
The trend of Kenyan athletes switching nationalities often stems from financial incentives and the desire for more competitive platforms.
Hillary Bor – USA
Bor switched his allegiance to the United States and now represents the USA in the 3,000m steeplechase.
Bor, who hails from Eldoret, Kenya, was a district champion in the long jump and pole vault in high school.
He ran 9:15 in the steeplechase and 3:55 in the 1500 meters while in high school.
Bor secured a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team in the 3,000m steeplechase after finishing second at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
He is currently a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and part of the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which allows elite soldier-athletes to train and compete internationally while serving in the military.
Anne Wafula – UK
Wafula, a Paralympian from Kenya, switched her allegiance to represent Great Britain in international competitions.
This decision was primarily driven by personal reasons, as it allowed her to stay with her husband and son in Essex, England.
Despite the difficulty of the decision, Kenya supported her move, understanding that it was for family reasons.
Wafula Strike feels a strong connection to both countries – she considers herself an Essex girl from Africa and is proud to have competed for Kenya in the Athens Paralympics, becoming the first East African wheelchair racer to do so.
However, she also feels a deep sense of gratitude towards England for introducing her to wheelchair racing.
Paul Chelimo – US
Chelimo switched allegiance to the USA primarily to pursue his Olympic dreams while serving in the U.S. Army.
Born in Kenya, he joined the Army under the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program, which expedited his citizenship process.
Chelimo expressed that representing the U.S. as an Olympian was a significant goal for him, allowing him to combine his military service with his athletic aspirations.
His transition reflects a broader trend of Kenyan athletes seeking opportunities in the U.S. through military service and citizenship.
