Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said that education is an equally important factor in talent development.
Speaking when he led a host of senior government officials in participating in the Chepsaita Cross Country on Saturday, Kindiki said that every profession requires education to sharpen for one to become more productive.
“The focus on education is extremely important, because every professional, every person, whatever they want to do, requires an education so that they can sharpen their talents and become more productive, more effective, and even benefit from that talent more,” he said.
Kindiki added that one also gets more benefits from their talents when educated and cannot be compared to people who are talented and not educated.
The Deputy President commended President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, the Patron of the Chepsaita Cross Country race for having it themed around education.
He noted that it is one way of encouraging young talents and such programs should be emulated by the government.
“When you have an educated person who is a talent holder, it cannot be compared to a talent holder who doesn't have an education. I want to thank Farouk, the patron of this run for theming it around education, and it's a big challenge for the government.
“We need to do more of this kind of event, this kind of inspiration, because all that our children are looking for is inspiration. They need to be inspired. They need to be focused so that they can bring out the best in themselves.”
Kindiki insisted that education is the only equalizer regardless of where one comes from or what one wants to do.
He said that it is the only thing that brings Kenyans and people from diverse backgrounds to the same level.
“Education is an equalizer. It makes everyone equal, whether you are a sports person, whether you are a professional in medicine, in engineering, whether you are a farmer, whether you are a civil servant, we are all equal, and it's the only thing that makes us sit together on one table,” Kindiki noted.
The DP also put on notice individuals who have been facilitating doping among athletes, saying that they have been killing young talents.
He said the government will not be lenient to anyone found to be involved in the same.
"Doping remains the greatest risk and most dangerous enemy to the credibility of our athletes and their prowess in sports. It threatens not only their careers but also the values that define our sporting culture."
"The Government will be ruthless and uncompromising in the fight against merchants of harmful drugs that aim to destroy the future of our youth, particularly in the sports industry, where dreams should be nurtured, not poisoned,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki said that sports is not just a form of entertainment but a powerful instrument for hastening our national unity, boosting connections, and strengthening the bonds that hold our diverse nation together.
The race was attended by among others Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Governor Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) and Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) were also among the participants.
Several members of parliament were also in attendance.
