This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
Kenya Airways welcomed back five Kenyan athletes on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, after they were repatriated from India due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among those who arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport aboard a Kenya Airways plane at 12:45 pm were long distance athletes Gideon Kipkurui, Alexander Ng'eno, Isaac Mburugu, Dalmas Kiprono, and Isaac Kihara.
According to Willy Bett, the Kenyan High Commissioner to India, the athletes had to meet several requirements before their repatriation, including having a Covid-19 free certificate seven days before their departure date.
"They must have Covid-free certificate which must be carried in original and be presented to the Kenya Airways staff," said Bett in a statement dated June 17, 2020. "They must also be ready to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine period imposed by the government upon arrival in Nairobi."
The repatriation of the athletes was facilitated by the government and Athletics Kenya, who spent a total of Sh357,750 to ferry them back to the country from Mumbai. Each athlete was charged Sh71,550 (approximately US$757).
This brings the total number of athletes assisted by the government and Athletics Kenya to 12, with four already back home after being repatriated from Bengaluru, India, on June 5, 2020.
"We still have a few athletes who are still outside Kenya and need help. We are in touch with the Kenyan Embassies in these countries to help," said Athletics Kenya president, Jack Tuwei.
