CS CECILY KARIUKI'S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO MARY KEITANY ON WINNING THE 2017 LONDON MARATHON AND SETTING A NEW WORLD RECORD

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, CS Sicily Kariuki sent a message of congratulations to Kenya’s Mary Keitany following her victory at the 2017 London Marathon.

Speaking after watching the race whilst in Kenya, CS Kariuki said Keitany’s victory represented the true spirit of Kenyan women.

“Keitany represents the true spirit of a Kenyan woman, determined, and focused, God fearing and true to her mother nation Kenya,” she said. “Keitany is a mother of two, which makes her achievements even more remarkable; she has proved that Kenyan women are resilient and world beaters.”

Keitany’s time of 2:17:01 is a new women’s world record.

“Before the 2017 London Marathon, Keitany was the second fastest woman of all time, only second to Paula Radcliffe, today, Keitany is now second to none with a new world record of 2:17:01; this gives us much to celebrate and to be proud of as Kenyans,” she added. 

“To our Kenyan girls and young women, emulate the strength, discipline and ethics that Mary Keitany, Edna Kiplagat, Sarah Chepchirchir, Florence Kiplagat and athletes like Catherine Nderaba, Tegla Loroupe, Rose Tata Muya and many others before them. Learn from these great champions, these are your true role models, these are the women you need to emulate – strong, focused, determined women, world beaters, respected and celebrated globally. 

Emulate them, celebrate them, and copy their discipline and determination, their work ethics, their family values, their Kenyan patriotism.”

Other Kenyans who have performed well in current World Marathon Majors season include Edna Kiplagat the 2017 Boston Marathon champion, Sarah Chepchirchir the Tokyo Marathon Champion.

“Our list of women champions in athletics is long, we are truly blessed as a nation to have such talented and determined women flying our flag, and again and again I must reiterate, that these are the women that our youth must emulate. These are our role models, let us celebrate them,” CS Kariuki commented. “Well done Mary Keitany, a true Kenyan woman. HONGERA!”