By Authorities in Eldoret, Kenya, have removed statues of three athletes following widespread ridicule and criticism. The statues, unveiled ahead of Eldoret’s city status ceremony on Thursday, August 17, 2024, were described by local residents and online commentators as “embarrassing” and a poorly executed “joke”.
Eldoret, known as the “home of champions” due to its location in the Rift Valley where many of Kenya’s world-class athletes originate, had erected the statues along with other monuments to represent the area’s sports and agricultural heritage. The artworks included representations of a maize cob and a milk fountain, placed at strategic roundabouts throughout the town.
However, the statues immediately drew criticism for their alleged poor resemblance to the athletes they were meant to represent. Social media users speculated that one statue was meant to depict Faith Kipyegon, the 1,500m world-record holder, while another was thought to represent marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.
One Kenyan social media user described the works as representing “our collective mediocrity as a country,” while another stated that “whoever did this will not see heaven,” referring to the purported statue of Kipchoge.
Local media reported that county officials removed the three statues overnight on Wednesday, taking them to an undisclosed location. The authorities have not officially identified who the statues were meant to represent, nor have they indicated whether the statues will be replaced.
The removal of the statues occurred just before President William Ruto officially designated Eldoret as Kenya’s fifth city. During the ceremony, Ruto hosted athletes who won medals at the 2024 Olympics, rewarding them with monetary prizes as part of a government scheme to motivate athletic performance.
Kenya ranked 17th on the Olympic medal table, the highest among African countries, with four golds and a total of 11 medals. Faith Kipyegon won the 1,500m title with a new Olympic record and also took silver in the 5,000m. However, Eliud Kipchoge did not finish the marathon due to a back injury.
The controversy surrounding the statues has sparked a broader discussion about public art and representation in Kenya, with many welcoming their removal and calling for higher standards in commemorating the country’s athletic achievements.
