Many colleges in the United States are increasingly looking to Kenya for athletic talent, offering attractive deals that allow athletes to study in the U.S. while competing professionally and representing their institutions in major championships.
Reports now show that U.S. athletics coaches have been aggressively recruiting Kenyan athletes, convincing some to switch allegiance and compete under the American flag.
According to the Washington Post, hundreds of American scouts have been flocking to Eldoret in the Rift Valley to target athletes, taking advantage of the government’s low investment and lack of priority in Kenya’s top sporting discipline.
Recruiters have also capitalized on policy changes introduced under former President Donald Trump, which reshaped rules around student visas and scholarship migration to the U.S. This wave of recruitment is transforming college athletics. In the most recent season, Kenyan women swept the NCAA cross-country championships, taking the top three spots.
The Washington Post also noted the case of 28-year-old Solomon Kipchoge, who was a freshman at Texas Tech. He had already set the American record in his half-marathon time upon arrival.
Because of the challenges many individuals face in Kenya, young athletes see such openings as an opportunity to further their education, compete professionally for American colleges, and even represent their new country.
To be eligible, the players have to satisfy the colleges’ admission requirements, such as obtaining certain grades at high school.
The high-stakes nature of college sports in America has fueled this demand. With athletics increasingly mirroring professional leagues, institutions now see global recruitment as a way to maximize medal opportunities. Their strategy reflects what football and basketball programs have done for years – spending millions to secure elite prospects.
In March last year, the impact of this trend became clear when 14 Kenyan youths – 11 women and three men – earned scholarships to American universities and colleges. They were selected from more than 300 hopefuls who turned out for a time trial at Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret.
The event, organized by Kenyans living in the U.S. on behalf of recruiting institutions, offered athletes aged 17 to 23 the chance to meet qualifying times in track and field disciplines. For the few who made the cut, it opened doors to a future beyond Kenya’s borders.
But the U.S. is not the only nation capitalizing on Kenya’s world-class talent. One of the most striking examples is Stephen Cherono, who accepted a lucrative offer from Qatar. The deal promised him a lifetime monthly stipend of Ksh112,300 in exchange for switching allegiance. Cherono accepted, defected, and even had his name changed to Saif Saeed Shaheen.
Despite such losses, Kenya continues to shine on the global stage. The athletics powerhouse was second on the medal tally at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Over nine days of competition, Kenyan athletes accumulated 11 medals – seven gold, two silver, and two bronze – second only to the United States that led the standings in different disciplines.
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