For Kenya’s athletics fraternity, the wound is still fresh. Less than a month after Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet were controversially overlooked for the World Athletics Track Athlete of the Year titles, the duo finds themselves in the spotlight again. This time, the stage is the Diamond League Moment of the Year, a final chance to salvage global recognition from a season of historic dominance.

The nominations, announced yesterday, have reignited a fierce debate that has simmered from Eldoret to Nairobi: Is the world doing enough to honor the brilliance of East African talent?

A Season of Broken Barriers

To understand the stakes, one must look at the sheer weight of the metal hanging around their necks. 2025 was not just a good year; it was a redefining one.

Beatrice Chebet, the silent assassin of the track, delivered a masterclass at the Tokyo World Championships in September. She didn't just win; she conquered, becoming the first woman since Vivian Cheruiyot to seal the 5,000m and 10,000m double on the world stage. Earlier in the season, she shattered the 5,000m world record at the Prefontaine Classic, clocking a blistering 13:58.06.

Then there is Faith Kipyegon. The mother-of-one continued to defy logic, lowering her own 1,500m world record to a mind-bending 3:48.68 in July. In Tokyo, she defended her 1,500m crown with a gun-to-tape dominance that has become her trademark, cementing her status as the greatest miler in history.

Yet, when the World Athletics gala lights dimmed in Monaco last month, the top honors went elsewhere—specifically to American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Dutch star Femke Bol. The decision sparked an uproar on social media, with critics arguing that distance running was being sidelined for the glamour of the sprints.

The Diamond League Redemption?

Now, the Diamond League offers a path to redemption. Unlike the World Athletics awards, which rely heavily on a panel vote, the 'Moment of the Year' is often swayed by the court of public opinion—fan votes.

The nominated moments are undeniably electric:

• Chebet’s World Record in Eugene: The night she became the first woman to dip under 14 minutes on American soil in 2025.
• Kipyegon’s Paris Diamond League Masterpiece: A race where she ran the final lap in under 58 seconds, leaving the field gasping for air.

"It’s not just about the trophy," notes local sports analyst James Mwangi. "It’s about validation. When you break world records and win global doubles, you expect the highest accolades. If they miss this, it sends a worrying message to our young girls in Kaptagat that excellence might not be enough."

The Kenyan Lens: More Than Just Trophies

For the average Kenyan, these awards are more than silverware; they are a validation of a national identity. Athletics puts Kenya on the map in a way few other sectors do. The financial implications are also real. While the award itself carries prestige, it boosts appearance fees and endorsement leverage—crucial in an era where the shilling battles volatility.

A win here would translate to millions of shillings in future earnings, money that often flows back into the rural economies of the Rift Valley, building schools, businesses, and futures.

As the voting lines open, the question remains: Will the global athletics community—and the fans—finally give Chebet and Kipyegon their flowers, or will 2025 end with another bitter taste of what could have been?

"We have done our part on the track," Kipyegon said briefly after a training session in Kaptagat earlier this week. "Now, we leave it to the world."