Wanyama, Kipyegon part of first inductees to Kenyan Hall of Fame [PHOTOS]
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 04.11.25. | 16:51
The Hall of Fame also includes leaders who have made contributions to the sports industry in the country
The Government of Kenya (GoK) has launched its own Talanta Hall of Fame to honour citizens who have contributed greatly to sports, arts and youth affairs.
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Various sports personalities, both past and present, as well as sports administrators, have dominated the iconic space as Kenya continues to acknowledge the role such individuals have played.
This was revealed by the Principal Secretary (PS), State Department of Sports, Elijah Mwangi, who shed more light on the Hall of Fame as well as photos of it.
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“Tucked in one corner of the Talanta Plaza, this facility is a pantheon of Kenya’s legendary runners, sportsmen, composers, comedians, musicians, writers and supremely gifted players in the creative space.
It is also home to visionary leaders whose policy decisions and directives continue to shape, inform and influence the trajectory of Kenya’s sport ecosystem,” reads part of the post by Mwangi.
Some of Kenya’s legendary sports persons who have a place in the Hall of Fame include FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga, who is the only Kenyan to have won the coveted UEFA Champions League.
Mariga’s younger brother and former Harambee Stars captain, Victor Wanyama, who led Kenya to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and remains the only Kenyan to have played in the English Premier League (EPL), is among the athletes whose portraits made it to the Hall of Fame.
Additionally, there is space for arguably the best striker in Kenya's history, Dennis Oliech, whose goal took Kenya to the 2004 AFCON.
“Their names, exploits and achievements are now firmly immortalised for posterity. All greats, for today, tomorrow and the future, whose sacrifice, deeds and achievements bring glory and honour to the country are assured of a space inside this sanctuary of greatness,” said Mwangi.
In the world of athletics, triple 1500m Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon leads a host of present and past legends who have been honoured.
The other athletes include 800m world record holder David Rudisha, who brought glory to the country, as well as the late Kelvin Kiptum, whose star was dimmed by the cruel hand of death.
Additionally, Kipchoge Keino makes it to the Hall of Fame for his contributions both on the track and later as a sports administrator.
“To walk quietly in the corridors in the Hall of Fame is to immerse oneself in great moments of sporting and creative history. It is shared in the vibes of greatness flowing from wall to wall,” explained the PS.
Other notable sportsmen and women featured include legendary Safari Rally driver Patrick Njiru and retired Kenyan Boxer Conjestina Achieng, who has been ill for a couple of years.
Legendary rugby player and coach Benjamin Anyimba continues to be remembered even in death, as he has a place in the hall of fame as one of the best rugby players and tacticians the country has produced.
“As the government strives to honour our champions by enhancing their cash awards for winning as well as allowances, we are also ensuring that they are part of our history, for posterity.
Generations to come will walk along the corridors of Talanta Hall of Fame to pay homage to legends who laid the foundation for Kenya’s ascendancy to sporting and creative greatness,” stated Mwangi.
The Hall of Fame also includes leaders who have made contributions to the sports industry in the country.
President William Ruto leads the way as one of the avid supporters of the sports industry in various aspects, including the improvement of financial awards to various disciplines and the development of infrastructure, including the Talanta Sports City Stadium that is under construction.
Current and former Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) for Sports have also made it to the Hall of Fame. They include the current CS Salim Mvurya, Ababu Namwamba, Maina Kamanda, Naomi Shaban, Ochilo Ayacko, Najib Balala, Amina Mohammed, and PS Mwangi.
“Their faces, names and deeds now live forever in the hallowed sanctum of Talanta’s Hall of Fame,” concluded Mwangi.
