Former 3000m steeplechase medalist Jairus Kipchoge Birech passed away on Thursday, September 19.
In a statement, Birech’s family confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, announcing that the 32-year-old athlete died at around 8:30 PM.
The family further appealed for support and prayers as they navigate this difficult moment.
The news of Birech’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief across the country, with tributes pouring in from both political leaders and the athletics community.
Kenya Loses Former Steeplechase Champion Jairus Kipchoge Birech. Photo: Courtesy.
Many have lauded his remarkable achievements on the global stage and his role in cementing Kenya’s dominance in the steeplechase.
Birech’s rise in athletics was meteoric. In 2011, he announced himself on the continental stage with a silver medal at the African Junior Athletics Championships and a fourth-place finish at the All-Africa Games.
The following year, he broke into international meetings, showcasing his consistency on the Diamond League circuit.
The pinnacle of his career came in 2014. In a season that remains etched in Kenya’s athletics history, Birech lifted the Diamond League title, struck gold at the African Championships in Marrakech, and earned a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
That same year, he stunned the athletics world with a 7:58.41 run in Brussels, becoming one of the few men to ever dip under the eight-minute mark in the steeplechase.
He carried that form into 2015, dominating the Diamond League and finishing just shy of a medal at the World Championships in Beijing, where he placed fourth in a fiercely contested final.
Although his appearances on the global stage later became sporadic, his name remained synonymous with Kenyan steeplechase excellence.
His last major competition was the 2020 Guadalajara Marathon in Mexico.
