Authorities in Eldoret, Kenya, have removed three statues of athletes after they were met with widespread ridicule and criticism for their poor craftsmanship. The statues, which were unveiled in anticipation of a ceremony to elevate Eldoret to city status, were intended to honor the region’s rich sports heritage. However, local residents and social media users quickly derided the sculptures, claiming they bore little resemblance to the athletes they purported to represent.
Eldoret, often referred to as the “home of champions,” lies in Kenya’s Rift Valley, a region renowned for producing world-class athletes. The statues, along with other new monuments such as a maize cob and a milk fountain, were erected at strategic roundabouts in the town to celebrate both the area’s sporting and agricultural achievements.
Despite the intended celebration, the statues became a source of embarrassment and mockery. One statue, believed to represent 1,500m world-record holder Faith Kipyegon, was criticized for its lack of likeness, with one Kenyan commenting on social media that it represented “our collective mediocrity as a country.” Another statue, presumed to depict marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, was labeled a “joke,” with an online user remarking that “whoever did this will not see heaven.”
By Thursday morning, images of an empty pedestal where one of the statues had stood began circulating in local media, confirming that the three statues—two of female athletes and one of a male—had been removed overnight by county officials. The authorities have yet to clarify the identities of the athletes the statues were intended to represent or whether the artworks will be replaced.
The controversy comes ahead of a significant ceremony where President William Ruto is expected to officially declare Eldoret Kenya’s fifth city. As part of the celebrations, the president recently hosted Kenyan athletes who won medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kenya ranked as the top African nation at the Games, finishing 17th on the medal table with a total of 11 medals, including four golds.
Among the honorees was Faith Kipyegon, who won the 1,500m title in a new Olympic record of 3 minutes and 51.29 seconds, becoming the first woman to win three consecutive gold medals in the event. Kipyegon also secured a silver medal in the 5,000m. Meanwhile, Eliud Kipchoge, one of the country’s most celebrated athletes, did not finish the marathon due to a back injury.
The removal of the statues has been welcomed by many Kenyans online, though it remains unclear whether new sculptures will be commissioned to replace the controversial artworks.
