President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga have showered athletes Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon for respectively winning Gold and Silver in the 5000-meter race at the Olympic games.
President Ruto in a statement said theirs was a show of excellence.
He particularly commended Chebet for winning Kenya its first Gold in the 2024 Olympics.
"What a show of excellence from the Kenyan team at the Paris Olympic Games," he said.
"We are proud of Beatrice Chebet for opening Kenya's gold account with her win in the Women's 5,000m final. For Faith Kipyegon, keep the faith!"
Raila on his part the athletes had made the country more proud.
He thanked the two for flying Kenya's flag high in Paris.
"What an amazing 5000m run by Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon in Paris! Winning Kenya’s first gold and silver medals in these Olympics makes us proud. Thank you both for flying our flag high! Bravo!"
The Women's 5,000m race was controversial after Kipyegon was disqualified for shoving her Ethiopian counterpart Gudaf Tsegay.
Team Kenya, however, appealed the decision, which saw Kipyegon's silver medal win reinstated.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua described their victory as an amazing one.
He insisted that the country is proud of the two.
"With a superb 1-2 finish in the 5000m, it cannot get better for the top performing heroes who ensured Kenya scooped its first gold and silver medals at the Olympics," Gachagua said.
The DP also congratulated Mary Moraa for winning bronze in the Women's 800m race.
"Hearty congratulations also to Mary Moraa for your Bronze medal in the 800m. Bravo Margaret Kipkemboi for giving your best in the 5000m."
