President William Ruto has been honoured with the prestigious Confederation of African Football (CAF) President’s Outstanding Achievement Award, presented on Wednesday night, November 19. Although he did not attend the ceremony in person, the award was received on his behalf by Kenya’s Ambassador to Morocco, Jessica Gakinya.
The award recognises the Kenyan government’s strong commitment to supporting and expanding sports across Africa. This includes improving sports infrastructure, investing in new facilities, and creating a solid support system to uplift athletes at all levels.
During the ceremony, CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised the role that African governments are playing in boosting sports development. He highlighted that CAF values partnerships with countries that consistently contribute to football growth across all 54 African member states.
According to Motsepe, Kenya’s recognition was expected, especially considering the major steps taken by President Ruto’s administration to raise the standard of football in the country.
One of the key achievements under Ruto’s leadership was Kenya’s successful co-hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN). The event saw several matches being played in Kenya, including the highly anticipated final, marking a proud moment for the nation.
On the infrastructure front, the government has been focused on modernising and expanding stadiums across the country, especially in regions known for producing raw football talent from the grassroots.
Beyond the well-known Nyayo Stadium and Moi International Sports Complex in Kasarani, the government also launched the construction of the massive Talanta Stadium. Valued at Ksh45 billion, the arena will have a seating capacity of at least 60,000 fans. As of November 2025, the project is 66 percent complete and is expected to be ready by early 2026.
The government has not only concentrated on football but has also taken steps to elevate track and field athletes, an area where Kenya has long excelled globally. In July, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya introduced a new and improved reward framework for athletes.
This revised package ensures better support for elite athletes and includes compensation for retired or forgotten heroes who contributed greatly to Kenya’s sports history.
The changes are part of the updated National Sports Policy and were approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in April 2025.
Additionally, Kenya reached another major milestone by securing the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. This victory is expected to boost Kenya’s reputation and place the country firmly on the map as a leading sports destination in Africa.
During the CAF Awards ceremony, President Ruto was not the only East African leader recognised. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni also received honours, highlighting the region’s growing influence in the development of African sports.
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