Who are the top 10 richest athletes in Kenya as of 2023?

Who are the top 10 richest athletes in Kenya as of 2023?

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM

Kenyan athletes have been on record for dominating in middle and long-distance running events for more than 4 decades. From the 1980s to 2008, it was recorded that the richest athletes in Kenya earned a total of $31.7 million which is equivalent to 3.6 billion Kenya shillings. The richest competition Kenyan athletes have ever participated in is The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. Join us as we share fascinating facts about the richest athletes in Kenya.

Richest athletes in Kenya
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Kenya is one nation renowned for the origin of the best athletes all over the world. As a result, it is now on the global map, and the athletes establish themselves as the world's premier long-distance runners. So who is the richest athlete in Kenya? Have a look at this article and find more information about the richest sportsmen in Kenya, including details about their net worth.

Who are the richest athletes in Kenya as of 2023

Below is a list of the richest athletes in Kenya as of 2023, including their respective values.

1. Kipchoge Keino - $3 million

highest paid athletes in Kenya
Laureus Academy member Kip Keino attends the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards at the Salle des Etoiles, Sporting Monte Carlo in Monaco, Monaco. Photo: Eamonn M. McCormack
Source: Getty Images

The retired field and track athlete is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He was among the first Kenyan athletes to participate in international competitions. Keino's fame skyrocketed following the 1500 metres gold medal he won during the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics after beating Jim Ryun, an American national who held the world record for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.

In addition, Keino won the 3000 metres steeplechase gold medal and 1500 metres silver medal. With his wife, Phyllis Keino, he has devoted significant efforts to humanitarian work in Eldoret, starting from establishing the known Lewa Children's home for orphans and learning institutions emblazoned with his official name.

Although there are no verified sources that state how much he is worth, according to Who Owns Kenya, he has an estimated net worth of around $3 million. Apart from being a famous athlete, he owns other assets that generate income. He is currently the richest sportsman in Kenya.

2. Ezekiel Kemboi - $2.8 million

list of the richest athletes in Kenya
Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya competes in the Men's 3000 metres Steeplechase during day three of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium in London. Photo: Andy Lyons
Source: Getty Images

Ezekiel is the only athlete to ever consecutively win four world championships in the steeplechase competitions. In 2004, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2015 Summer Olympics, he won the 3000 metres steeplechase medal.

Additionally, Ezekiel is one of four men to have won both Olympic and World gold medals in the event alongside Reuben Kosgei, Conselus Kipruto, and Brimin Kipruto. Although there are no verified sources that state how much the athlete is worth, according to Hivi Sasa, he has an estimated net worth of $2.8 million.

3. Eliud Kipchoge - $2.6 million

richest sportsman in Kenya
Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya at the award ceremony during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Tom Weller
Source: Getty Images

Hailing from Kapsisiywa in Nandi county, the athlete had proved that no human is limited when he became the first human in history to run a sub-two-hour marathon in Vienna, Austria, with a time of 1:59:40hrs.

The long-distance runner is often dubbed the male marathoner of all time. He specifically came into the limelight on 16 September 2018 during the Berlin Marathon, when he set a new world record in the 42-kilometres marathon with a time of 2:01:39hrs. However, the most exciting thing about Eliud is that out of all the 13 races he has participated in, he has won 12 of them.

According to The List, he has an estimated net worth of around $2.6 million.

4. Julius Yego - $2.2 million

highest paid athletes in Kenya
Julius Yego of Team Kenya competes in the Men's Javelin Throw Qualification on day twelve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: David Ramos
Source: Getty Images

Julius Yego, often dubbed Mr YouTube, was the first commonwealth record holder for the javelin competitions in 2015, with a personal best of 92.72 metres. He has won other javelin titles, such as the All-African Games in 2011 and the African Championship in Athletics in 2012 and 2014.

How much is Julius Yego worth? Unfortunately, no verified sources state how much the athlete is worth. However, according to Celeb Doko, he has an estimated net worth of around $2.2 million.

5. Vivian Cheruiyot - $1.5 million

The Kenyan athlete specialises in track and cross-country type of races. During the 2012 Olympics, she won a silver medal at 5000 metres and a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres races. After four years, Cheruiyot clinched a silver medal at the 10,000 metres and a gold medal at the 5000 metres at the 2016 Olympics, setting a new world record.

who is the richest athlete in Kenya
Elite marathon runner Vivian Cheruiyot attends the Elite Women's photo call ahead of Sunday's London Marathon at The Tower Hotel in London, England. Photo: Ian Gavan
Source: Getty Images

There are no verified sources that state exact net worth of Vivian. However, according to People Ai, she has na estimated net worth of $1.5 million.

6. David Rudisha - $1 million

list of the richest athletes in Kenya
David Rudisha celebrates after winning gold and setting a new world record of 1:40.91 in the Men's 800m Final on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. Photo: Ian MacNicol
Source: Getty Images

Have you ever heard of the fastest man in the 800 metres race? Well, the Kenyan athlete David Rudisha is the fastest man on earth. His fame skyrocketed after setting the world record of 1:40:91 at the 2012 London Olympics. Additionally, he was the 2016 Olympic champion and a two-time world champion in 2011 and 2015.

Rudisha also won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award in 2010. Unfortunately, no verified sources state how much the athlete is worth. However, according to Celebs Money, he has an estimated net worth of $1 million.

7. Catherine Ndereba - $1 million

richest sportsman in Kenya
Catherine Ndereba of Kenya celebrates as she receives the gold medal for winning the Women's Marathon at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan. Photo: Mark Dadswell
Source: Getty Images

Ndereba is a Kenyan national renowned for winning twice at the Worlds Championships in Athletics. She notably rose to stardom after breaking the marathon world record in 2001 with a time of 2:18:47 during the Chicago Marathon.

The athlete has not fully disclosed her exact net worth. That said, the stated figure is not from a verified source. According to Celebs Money, she has an estimated net worth of around $1 million.

8. Pamela Jelimo - $1 million to $5 million

Pamela Jelimo was the first Kenyan national to win the Golden League Jackpot in 2008. Although she has somewhat disappeared from the athletics scene, she still holds both the 800m world junior record and the senior African record over the same distance.

Who are the richest athletes in Kenya as of 2022
Pamela Jelimo of Kenya crosses the line to win gold in the Women’s 800 Metres Final during day three of the 14th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: Michael Steele
Source: Getty Images

Like many undercover celebrity athletes, Pamela has not disclosed her exact net worth publicly. However, according to Famous Birthdays, she has an estimated net worth of between $1 million - $5 million.

9. Asbel Kiprop - $1 million to $5 million

richest sportsmen in Kenya
Asbel Kiprop competes in the Men's 1500 metres semi finals during IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium in London. Photo: Alexander Hassenstein
Source: Getty Images

Asbel Kiprop is a Kenyan Olympic 1500 metres and three-time world champion who is currently serving a year suspension for doping. His first rose to stardom after winning the 2007 All-Africa Games gold medal. Networth Mask has an estimated net worth of between $1 million - $5 million.

10. Martin Lel - $1 million to $5 million

Who are the top 10 richest athletes in Kenya as of 2022?
Martin Lel finishes second in the Men's Elite Race at the Marathon in London, England. Photo: Anwar Hussein
Source: Getty Images

Martin Lel is a renowned marathon runner who consecutively won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007, and 2008. His personal best time was 2:05:15, which he ran in the 2008 London Marathon, setting a course record.

Although the athlete has not disclosed his exact net worth, he seems to be living quite a lavish life as he has appeared in the list of the highest-paid athletes in Kenya. According to Famous Birthdays, the athlete has an estimated net worth of between $1 million - $5 million.

You are now equipped with the correct information regarding the richest athletes in Kenya. Although most of the mentioned personalities are retired athletes, they are still sought-after personalities when it comes to the global statistics of the Olympics.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.