Kipchoge Keino’s Farm Invasion: Youths Claim Olympic Record Holder’s Land
On Wednesday, a group of unruly young individuals invaded the Eldoret farm owned by Kipchoge Keino, a former Olympic athletics record holder. They asserted their ownership over a portion of the extensive land.
During a conversation with GossipA2Z, Andrew Keino, the son of the renowned figure, recounted how a group of people encroached upon the 195-acre estate and enclosed portions that they allege to be rightfully theirs.
The vast estate located in Kazi Mingi is home to the Kipchoge Keino High-Performance Training Centre, a facility endorsed by the Olympic Committee, where athletes train to get ready for races.
Keno’s relatives are currently requesting governmental assistance in removing the individuals who have seized control of various portions of the property.
The family states that Keino acquired the property in 1972 from the family currently asserting ownership, using his savings and the winnings he earned from prizes.
Keino possesses a legal directive that halts the division of the property while a lawsuit disputing its ownership, which has been brought before the High Court, is still ongoing.
“A dispute arose sometime in the 1990s and I acquired 20 acres of land for the complainant at that time and the issue was settled. Shockingly, they are targeting a property I acquired following the right procedure,” Senior Keino stated.
The family that previously sold the farm to Keino is asserting their ownership of 70 acres. However, Keino has pointed out that the issue was settled during the 1990s.
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Keino participated in global athletics events from 1962 to 1972, achieving first-place finishes in the 1500 meters, 3000 meters steeplechase, and 5000 meters races.
Born on January 17, 1940, the renowned marathoner transitioned into a sprinter, participating in the 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976 Olympics. He is widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most exceptional sprinting talents ever.
Keino was birthed in Kipchoge Keino village situated in Nandi County, Kenya. From a young age, he began engaging in running, swiftly rising as one of the most gifted sportspeople in the country of Kenya.
During the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he emerged victorious in the 1500-meter race, clinching the gold medal. This achievement marked him as the inaugural Kenyan sportsman to secure a gold medal in the Olympic Games.
Keino clinched an additional gold medal during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, excelling in the 3000m steeplechase event. In subsequent competitions, he secured a silver medal in the 1500m race at the 1972 Munich Olympics and earned a bronze medal in the 5000m race during the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
He achieved multiple medals during the Commonwealth Games and secured victory in the 1500m global championship in 1973. He reigned as the undisputed champion of African sprinting throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Keino had a significant impact on the advancement of long-distance running in Kenya. He emerged as one of the initial Kenyan sportspeople to achieve global recognition, thereby laying the foundation for fellow Kenyan athletes to subsequently excel in the field.
Kipchoge Keino’s Farm Invasion: Youths Claim Olympic Record Holder’s Land
