Henry Rono Joins Long List of Kenyans Honoured by US universities

Kenyan athletes competing in the United States have been formally recognised by several universities for their outstanding achievements in collegiate sport, marking a new chapter in the country’s long tradition of athletic excellence.

Washington State University (WSU) led the tributes on 6 October with the posthumous honouring of Henry Rono, one of the most celebrated figures in collegiate track and field history. A bronze statue was unveiled on the Pullman campus to commemorate Rono’s record-breaking career, which included setting four world records within 81 days in 1978. 

Although Kenya’s boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics denied him a chance to compete on the world stage, his impact on athletics remains enduring. Rono’s world steeplechase record stood for more than a decade, and his achievements continue to inspire athletes and scholars alike.

WSU’s gesture is part of a wider movement among American universities to recognise Kenyan athletes who have elevated their institutions through both sporting and academic success. The University of Louisville honoured marathon champion Wesley Korir in 2016, celebrating his accomplishments following his selection to Kenya’s Olympic team. 

Korir, who also studied at Murray State University, embodies the balance between education and elite sport that defines many Kenyan student-athletes in the US.

The tradition of excellence continues with current stars. 

At the 2025 NCAA National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Kenyan athletes claimed six national titles. Winny Bii of Texas A&M University became the first Kenyan to win an NCAA field event, taking gold in the women’s triple jump. 

Pamela Kosgei of the University of New Mexico secured victories in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, while Ishmael Kipkurui won the men’s 10,000m. Brian Musau of Oklahoma State University captured the men’s 5,000m title, and Doris Lemngole of the University of Alabama broke the collegiate record in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.

These results highlight a growing shift in Kenya’s athletic profile. While the nation has long been associated with distance running, recent success in field events and sprints reflects a broader range of talent. 

Athletes such as Irene Jepkemboi, a javelin record holder at Texas Christian University, and Juliet Cherubet, an All-American cross-country champion from Texas Tech University, represent this expanding scope. Recruitment initiatives including Townhall Athletics, Peak Elite Scholars, Complete Sports in Kaptagat, Scholar Book, and KenSAP have played a key role in connecting young Kenyan athletes with international opportunities. 

Through these programmes, students gain access to scholarships, advanced training, and higher education abroad. Former Texas Tech athlete Haron Lagat emphasised the wider importance of these accomplishments. 

“They have left a legacy behind,” he said. “These athletes made their schools proud and showed that athletics is not just running, it’s a way to make a living. Their stories inspire young people, especially new recruits, to keep dreaming and never give up.”