It was horrible. Disrespect to our sports stars. This is how Kenyans on social media responded after Uasin Gishu County Government started erecting statues of athletes in Eldoret town set to become a city.
The sculpture of three-time Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon at a roundabout in Eldoret town angered Kenyans on social media who wondered who approved the poor workmanship in the name of honouring the globally acclaimed athletes.
The county is home of champions but residents were not contented with the ugly sculptures either done hurriedly or by rookies.
Residents blasted the county administration and the governor Jonathan Bii saying that was not honour but disrespect.
“That was crap. Even Kipyegon can’t recognise image on that statue purporting to honour her. This does not represent our champions” George Maiyo, a resident, said.
It is said the county spent millions of shillings on these statues welded using low-quality metal at a workshop in town.
Last night, after torrents of backlash, some of statues including Kipyegon one, were uprooted.
This was done hours before President William Ruto visited the town to give it a city status. The event is set to be held at the Eldoret sports club.
