President William Ruto has congratulated Kenya’s men’s 3,000m steeplechase team after the country secured a historic podium sweep at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Head of State hailed the achievement as a proud moment for the country after Edmund Serem, Simon Kiprop Koech and Leonard Kipkemoi Bett finished first, second and third respectively in the final on Monday, July 27, 2026.
“A magnificent podium sweep by Kenya’s men’s 3,000m steeplechase team at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, is a proud moment for our nation,” Ruto said.
He congratulated Serem for leading the clean Kenyan sweep and extending the country’s rich tradition in one of its most successful athletics events.
“Congratulations to Edmund Serem for leading Kenya to a dominant victory and further cementing our unrivalled legacy in the event,” he said.
The President also praised Koech and Bett for completing the podium, saying their performances had brought honour to the nation.
“Well done to Simon Kiprop Koech and Leonard Kipkemoi Bett for securing second and third places respectively,” he said.
“We are proud of your outstanding achievement and the honour you have brought to our nation.”
Ruto concluded his message with “Asanteni sana.”
Serem claimed gold in a time of 8:18.23, while Koech clocked 8:18.59 to take silver. Bett completed the all-Kenyan podium after finishing third in 8:21.63.
The result delivered Kenya’s first gold medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and extended the country’s long-standing dominance in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Games.
The victory marked another major milestone for 18-year-old Serem, who was making his Commonwealth Games debut.
The young steeplechaser has enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks. He won gold at the 2023 African Under-18 Championships before claiming silver at the 2024 African Championships.
Serem also captured the men’s 3,000m steeplechase title at the 2024 World Under-20 Championships in Lima before winning bronze at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
His impressive performances earned him the 2025 World Athletics Rising Star of the Year award.
Heading into the Commonwealth Games, Serem had already established himself among the world’s leading steeplechasers.
He set a personal best of 8:01.61 at the Rabat Diamond League in May 2026 and arrived in Glasgow after a series of strong performances on the Diamond League circuit, including top finishes in Rabat, Stockholm, Paris and Monaco.
He had also finished runner-up to Koech at the Kenyan Championships before the Games.
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