Former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau has called on the government to establish a dedicated pension scheme, housing support and medical cover for retired Kenyan athletes, warning that many national sporting heroes face financial hardship after their competitive careers end.
Makau said Kenya’s current system of rewarding athletes with one-off cash bonuses does not provide adequate long-term financial security, particularly for athletes who are not employed by government institutions.
The marathon legend famously broke Haile Gebrselassie’s world marathon record at the 2011 Berlin Marathon, clocking 2:03:38. He also won major marathon titles in Berlin, Rotterdam and Fukuoka.
Speaking about the challenges facing retired athletes, Makau said many former international competitors struggle to support themselves once their careers end because they lack a reliable source of income.
“If you look at many of our athletes, especially those who have retired, they end up suffering because they lack what we call a pension.”
He added that athletes outside the military and police services often have no formal employment structure to fall back on after retirement.
“Many are not employed by the government, so when you retire, you face severe challenges trying to stabilize. What the government is doing currently is not enough,” Makau said.
Makau questions one-off government rewards
Kenya currently provides financial rewards for exceptional sporting achievements, including Sh5 million for breaking a world record and Sh3 million for winning a gold medal, according to Makau.
However, he argued that such payments should be complemented by long-term welfare programmes.
“With Sh 5 million, there is very little you can do to sustain yourself and your family in the long run,” he said.
Makau wants the government to establish a structured retirement fund specifically for athletes who are not salaried government employees.
Under his proposal, decorated athletes would continue receiving regular financial support after their competitive careers, helping them meet household expenses and plan for retirement.
Uganda cited as model for athlete welfare
The former world record holder pointed to Uganda as an example Kenya could examine when developing a sustainable welfare system for elite athletes.
Makau said President Yoweri Museveni’s administration has provided some top Ugandan athletes with government housing, security and regular stipends.
He argued that Kenya, which has produced generations of world and Olympic champions, should develop a comparable system to protect its sporting icons after retirement.
Makau also questioned what he considers an imbalance in state support across different sporting disciplines.
He noted that football teams such as Harambee Stars have received government pledges involving housing and medical insurance, while track and field athletes — who have consistently enhanced Kenya’s international sporting reputation — often lack comparable long-term welfare arrangements.
Calls for housing and medical cover
Beyond pensions, Makau wants the government to consider permanent housing allocations and comprehensive medical insurance for athletes who have represented Kenya at the highest level.
He said such measures would provide a more meaningful safety net for athletes and their families after their competitive careers.
“If they can do something sustainable, like establishing a pension scheme so they can continue receiving money consistently, that will help them and their families in the future,” he said.
The proposal would mark a shift from Kenya’s traditional approach of celebrating sporting achievements through medals, recognition and one-off financial rewards towards a broader athlete welfare policy.
From medals to long-term security
Kenya’s athletics success has produced numerous world champions and Olympic medallists, but the transition from elite competition to retirement can leave athletes without a predictable income.
Makau believes the government should therefore treat athlete welfare as a long-term policy issue rather than one addressed only when an athlete wins a major title or encounters financial difficulties.
He urged the Ministry of Sports to consider a comprehensive retirement framework covering pensions, housing and healthcare.
“If the government can create a sustainable pension scheme, athletes will receive consistent support that protects them in the future.”
