President William Ruto awards record-breaker Sebastian Sawe Ksh.8M, custom number plates

 President William Ruto on Thursday honoured marathon sensation Sebastian Sawe with a cash reward of Ksh.8 million and custom vehicle number plates following his historic sub-two-hour marathon run.

Sawe, who stunned the world by clocking 1:59:30 at the London Marathon, became the first athlete to officially break the two-hour barrier in a competitive race — a milestone widely described as redefining human endurance. 

Hosting the 30-year-old at State House in Nairobi, President Ruto praised the athlete’s achievement as a landmark moment not just for Kenya but for global athletics. He noted that Sawe’s performance reaffirmed the country’s dominance in long-distance running and inspired millions around the world. 

The Ksh.8 million award comprised a Ksh.5 million presidential pledge for breaking a world record and an additional Ksh.3 million from the Ministry of Education. 

In addition to the cash reward, Sawe received customised number plates bearing his record time — a symbolic tribute to his historic feat. 

Sawe, who has now won all four marathons he has competed in, presented the President with the shoes he wore during the record-breaking race, marking the significance of the moment. 

His achievement has drawn widespread celebration across Kenya and beyond, with leaders and sports figures hailing the run as a “defining moment” that has pushed the limits of what the human body can achieve. 

The government also used the occasion to announce enhanced incentives for athletes, including increased rewards for medal winners and higher daily allowances for those representing the country abroad — a move aimed at strengthening Kenya’s sporting excellence pipeline. 

Sawe has already indicated his ambition to lower the record even further, setting the stage for what could be another historic chapter in marathon running.