How Much Kenyan Athletes Will Pocket After Tokyo World Championships

Kenyan athletes will receive over Sh105 million in combined prize money and government bonuses following their success at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Held from 13 to 21 September at the Japan National Stadium, the Championships brought together more than 2,000 athletes from 200 countries. Organisers, working with World Athletics and event sponsor TDK, offered a total prize pool of $8.4 million (Sh1.094 billion). 

Individual event winners earned up to $70,000 (Sh9.03 million), while a special $100,000 (Sh12.9 million) bonus was awarded for any world record. Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis claimed this bonus after setting a new pole vault world record of 6.30 metres. 

Kenya delivered a strong performance across multiple disciplines. Peres Jepchirchir won gold in the women’s marathon, while Beatrice Chebet claimed double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m. 

Faith Kipyegon secured gold in the 1,500m and silver in the 5,000m, and Faith Cherotich took gold in the 3,000m steeplechase. Lilian Odira and Emmanuel Wanyonyi won gold in the women’s and men’s 800m respectively. Silver medals were earned by Dorcas Ewoi in the women’s 1,500m and Reynold Cheruiyot in the men’s race.

Edmund Serem took bronze in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase. Chebet is set to receive the highest payout among the Kenyan team, with Sh18.06 million from World Athletics for her two gold medals. In addition to international prize money, the Kenyan government has introduced a new rewards structure. 

Gold medallists will now receive Sh3 million, up from Sh750,000, while silver and bronze winners will be awarded Sh2 million and Sh1 million respectively. The revised scheme was announced earlier this month and is intended to recognise and support high-performing athletes.

Daily allowances have also been adjusted. Athletes received between $60 (Sh7,800) and $200 (Sh26,000) per day, while officials received between $80 and $300. Similar incentive increases have been extended to medallists at the Commonwealth Games.