Having obtained Kazakh citizenship more than seven years ago, the Kenyan-born runners will continue to compete under the Kazakhstan flag in 2025.
Two Kenyan-born runners, Daisy Jepkemei and Norah Jeruto, have been named to Kazakhstan’s national athletics team for 2025 and are currently preparing for the new competition season.
Last year, seven athletes from Kazakhstan secured their spots for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Jeruto and Jepkemei achieving the team’s highest rankings among them.
According to recent updates, both Norah and Daisy are currently training in Kenya ahead of the upcoming season. Notably, in May 2024, Daisy Jepkemei clocked the best Asian time of the season in the 10,000 metres — 30:52.43 — at a meet in Eugene, USA.
In the 3000m steeplechase, Jepkemei and Jeruto hold the second and third fastest times in Asia for 2024, with 9:08.97 and 9:21.75, respectively.
The first reports about the naturalisation of four Kenyan runners (three women and one man) emerged in the autumn of 2017. These were high-level athletes who had previously earned podium finishes at major international competitions. In early 2018, it was confirmed that the athletes had been granted Kazakh citizenship. After completing all required formalities, they received official clearance to represent Kazakhstan. Of the original group, two remain today — Norah Jeruto and Daisy Jepkemei.
So even if we take the beginning of 2018 — when they officially became Kazakh citizens — as the starting point, 2025 marks the eighth year of Norah Jeruto and Daisy Jepkemei’s athletic careers under the Kazakhstan flag.
Pictured: Norah Jeruto currently training in Kenya.
