Kenya Prisons officer and Olympic Silver Medallist Timothy Cheruiyot (center) is fixed with his new promotion badge from the rank of Chief Inspector to that of Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP) owing to his sterling performance in the just concluded Tokyo Olympic by Commissioner General of Prisons Wycliffe Ogallo [photo courtesy]

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot has been promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP).

The Commissioner-General of Kenya Prisons Wycliffe Ogalo rewarded the 1500m runner after his sterling performance in Tokyo under the directive of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta hosted representatives of the triumphant Kenyan team to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the State House on Monday where he announced hefty cash rewards.

Kenyatta announced cash rewards of Sh.1 million, 750,000 and 500,000 for gold, silver and bronze medalists respectively.

Cheruiyot won silver at the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics clocking 3:29.01 behind Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen who won gold in 3:28.32.

“Kenya Prisons officer and Olympic Silver Medallist Timothy Cheruiyot promoted from the rank of Chief Inspector to that of Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP),” Ogallo wrote.

“I have been directed by His Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta that owing to your sterling performance in the just concluded Tokyo Olympic Games which you won a Silver medal in the 1,500 m race that in appreciation of the same, that gave honour and glory to our Nation you be instantly promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Prisons. Hongera!”

Silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot, of Kenya, poses on the podium during he medal ceremony for the men's 1,500-meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP)

Cheruiyot, who was enlisted into the service in 2015 thanks to his athletic prowess, was a late inclusion in Kenya’s team for the Olympics after the shock defeat at the trials where he placed fourth.

Two years ago, Cheruiyot was promoted from Prisons Constable (PC) to Chief Inspector.

Business
Premium Financial hardships dampen Easter celebrations among Kenyans
Business
Premium Water PS Korir put on the spot over Sh14m dam land
By Brian Ngugi 25 mins ago
Business
Premium Looming crisis as top lenders stare at Sh500b in bad loans
Business
Premium Ruto's food security hopes facing storm amid fake fertiliser scam