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President William Ruto has announced that the Kenyan government will cover 50% of the cost of affordable housing units for gold medallists from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. This initiative is part of a broader reward scheme aimed at recognising and incentivising athletic excellence.
President William Ruto on Thursday, October 2, 2025, announced that the Kenyan government will pay half the cost of affordable housing units for gold medallists who represented the country at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The announcement was made at State House, Nairobi, where the President hosted the triumphant team and disbursed KSh 27 million in prize money.
Kenya finished second overall at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, securing an impressive 11 medals: seven gold, two silver, and two bronze. This performance marked Kenya's best-ever medal tally at a World Athletics Championship.
Under the government's new sports reward scheme, gold medallists received KSh 3 million each, silver medallists KSh 2 million, and bronze medallists KSh 1 million. The total disbursement of KSh 27 million was in line with this enhanced scheme, which was approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission in April 2025 and announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, in July 2025.
The housing offer extends to gold medallists, allowing them to choose a house under the Affordable Housing Programme, with the government covering half the cost. President Ruto clarified that the houses are not free, stating, “You choose the house, we pay for you half, you pay another half.” For those unable to pay their share upfront, a soft loan option will be available through the Affordable Housing Fund, with monthly repayments as low as KSh 2,500 to KSh 5,000.
The Affordable Housing Programme is a government initiative aimed at providing quality, budget-friendly homes to low- and middle-income Kenyans. Eligibility criteria typically include being a Kenyan citizen aged 18 or older, having a monthly income between KSh 15,000 and KSh 149,999, being tax compliant with a KRA PIN, and being a registered contributor with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Applicants register on the Boma Yangu platform, where they can select preferred units and locations.
This housing incentive mirrors a similar arrangement extended to the Harambee Stars national football team following their performance in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Analysts suggest this development could influence public debate and policy execution, with calls for clarity on timelines, costs, and safeguards. The initiative aims to motivate athletes and ensure their long-term welfare, aligning with Kenya's Vision 2030, which recognises sports as a pillar of national pride and development.
While the housing incentive is a significant boost for athletes, ensuring transparency in the allocation process and clear communication regarding the terms of the soft loans will be crucial. The long-term sustainability of such reward schemes and their impact on the broader Affordable Housing Programme will also be closely watched.
Future developments will likely focus on the implementation details of the housing subsidy for the gold medallists, including the selection process for units and the uptake of the soft loan facility. The impact of these enhanced incentives on athlete motivation and performance in upcoming international competitions will also be a key area of observation.
The government's commitment to supporting athletes is further evidenced by a proposed Sports (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to institutionalise incentive schemes across all sporting disciplines. Additionally, the government plans to recruit 500 athletes into the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and National Police Service (NPS) to provide them with stable careers and support.
