Kenya’s athletics fraternity is mourning the death of former 3,000 metres steeplechase star Jairus Kipchoge Birech, who died on Thursday night after an illness. He was 32.
Born on December 14, 1992, Birech rose to prominence as one of Kenya’s most decorated athletes in the steeplechase, dominating the discipline for nearly a decade.
He was the 2014 Diamond League Final champion, a 10-time Diamond League series winner, African champion, Commonwealth and World U20 silver medallist, World Cup champion, and multiple-time national champion.
Birech also ventured beyond the barriers and water jumps of the steeplechase.
In 2019, he clocked an impressive personal best of 1:00:33 at the Milan Half Marathon, later recording season-best times of 28:43 in the 10km road race and 1:05:45 in the half marathon the following year.
His personal best of 7:41.83 in the 3,000 metres, set in 2013, ranks him among the top 10 performers of all time in the event.
A year earlier, he had recorded 8:06.72 at the Doha Diamond League, before storming to gold at the 2013 African Championships in Athletics.
Birech first announced himself on the global stage in 2011 when he claimed silver at the African Junior Athletics Championships.
He went on to secure notable victories, including the prestigious Cross Internacional de Itálica in Spain in 2013, establishing himself as a force in long-distance running.
Tributes have poured in since news of his death broke. Kesses MP Julius Rutto described him as a “source of national pride.”
“Deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our 3000m steeplechase star, Jairus Kipchoge Birech. His discipline, dedication, and brilliance on the track brought immense pride to our nation. We celebrate his legacy and pray for comfort to his family and the athletics fraternity. May he rest in peace,” Rutto said.
Birech’s passing marks the loss of another member of Kenya’s storied steeplechase tradition, a discipline in which the country has long reigned supreme on the world stage.