Entertainment

22 December 2023

• She pointed out that winning the prestigious award has motivated her to keep soaring high and doing great in what she does, athletics.

Celebrated Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon has expressed her joy and gratitude after being selected as the ‘Star Person of The Year 2023’ in the annual Star newspaper awards.

Faith, whose star has shone bright in the year 2023 which is almost coming to an end, beat several other nominees to become the best choice for the prestigious award.

While speaking to Radio Jambo presenter Bramwell Mwololo during Friday’s Gidi na Ghost Asubuhi program, the 29-year-old athlete noted that she didn’t anticipate she would win the award.

“Nimeshukuru sana, sikuwa natarajia kukuwa ‘Star Person of the Year’. Nawashukuru sana, nashukuru kila mtu kwa kunichagua,” Faith told Bramwell via phone.

She pointed out that winning the prestigious award has motivated her to keep soaring high and doing great in what she does, athletics.

The three-world record holder noted that a lot of practice and belief in herself has helped her achieve all the success she has had this year and in the previous years.

“Vile nilianza nikiwa mdogo, nikikimbia pia mpaka leo. Nadhani nimeshindana na wasichana na wanawake wengi huko nje. Huwezi kuamka leo na ukuwe nyota, it’s a process. Lazima upige hatua,” Kipyegon alisema.

In the phone interview, she also revealed that apart from running, she has been practicing plant and animal farming at her farm in Eldoret.

In the daily publication on Friday, The Star Newspaper introduced Faith Kipyegon as ‘The Star Person of The Year’ noting that she had been the most nominated by the public and had also been endorsed by the editors.

The 29-year-old athlete secured the highest votes, a record 228 nominations from the public out of the 2,123 nominations that were received.

For the Star newspaper editors who had the last word, this was an easy choice. The editors unanimously endorsed Kipyegon's nomination as the Star Person of the Year 2023.

Kipyegon ticked all the boxes according to the qualities that had been advertised by the Star.

The prestigious award recognizes individuals who, among others, have greatly helped, inspired, or brought honor to Kenya or strive to make Kenya a better place to live and work.