About eighteen years ago, a bloody militia group emerged in the fertile slopes of Mt. Elgon, the Sabaot Land Defence Forces (SLDF) led by the dreaded commander Wycliffe ‘Matakwei’ Matwakei, who unleashed a reign of terror between 2003 and 2009 with the mission of defending ancestral land from perceived outsiders in villages such as Cheptais, Kapkoto, Chelebei among others became synonymous with fear, displacement, and bloodshed.
But even as gunfire and cries of anguish echoed across the mountain, a different story was unfolding in Kiptii village. A lanky young man laced his running shoes, not for battle, but for the race track and cross country, his name Leonard Patrick Komon.
While his brother Matakwei commanded militia in the forest, the young Komon was conquering the world in running, becoming a double silver medalist at the World Cross Country Championships — first in the junior race in Fukuoka, Japan (2006), and later in the senior category in Edinburgh, Scotland (2007). He went on to set world records in the 10km and 15km road races, cementing his place in athletics history.
In an exclusive interview at his Kolol home in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, Komon reflected on the razor-thin line that separated him from his brother’s fate. “Sports saved me,” he revealed, acknowledging that without athletics, he might have joined the militia, killed many, or been killed.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1988 into a large polygamous family of 15 children, Komon grew up in Chepkurkur. He began his education at Chepkurkur Primary School, before transferring to Toroso, and later returned to Chepkurkur in 2000. That same year, while in Class Eight, he sat for his second KCPE examination. In 2001, he joined Cheptais Boys Secondary School, where he completed his studies in 2004.
Discovery of Talent
Komon’s passion for athletics began early. While in Class Three, he first competed in inter-class and inter-school races. By Class Five, he was competing at the zonal level, inspired by legendary runners from his region such as Ben Jipcho. In 2000, his breakthrough came when he qualified for the national championships in the 5,000m, an experience that convinced him of his potential in athletics.
Rising Through the Ranks
At Cheptais Boys, Komon represented the school in athletics from Form One to Form Four, competing in both the 5,000m and cross country events all the way to the national stage.
In 2005, Komon’s career took a major turn when he trained in Kitwamba, Kitale, under the mentorship of Stephen Cheptot Matebo. That same year, he competed at the national cross country trials, finishing 8th—just outside the qualifying slots. Undeterred, he returned the following year and secured a place team Kenya for the World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, where he won silver in the junior race.
International Success
The Fukuoka success marked the beginning of Komon’s rise on the world stage. Under the guidance of coach Juma Ndiwa, he refined his tactics and stamina. From 2006, Komon represented Kenya for six consecutive years at the World Cross Country Championships. His most notable achievement came in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he made his senior debut and won silver—an accomplishment he considers a milestone in his career progression.
In 2008, Leonard Komon was drafted into the Kenyan team for the Beijing Olympics. Though he didn’t compete—serving instead as a reserve—he traveled with the squad to China, gaining invaluable experience at the highest level.
“Before the Beijing Olympics, I was at the World Cross Country Championships where I finished 4th, and I can say that I was among the best athletes in cross country,” Komon recalls.
Nine years later, in 2017, Komon was named captain of Team Kenya at the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda. Under his leadership, Kenya dominated the competition, sweeping all the medals on offer and claiming the overall team title.
“Being the captain was not easy, especially leading a team that swept everything. I had been in athletics all my life before I picked up injuries that slowed me down,” says Komon, who has battled tendon problems in both legs, a frame injury, and hamstring issues.
Escaping the SDLF militia through sport
Growing up, Komon faced dangers beyond the track. His home region was plagued by the SDLF militia, which terrorized communities with violence, displacement, and land grabbing. For Komon, athletics became more than just a sport—it was a lifeline.
“Sports, especially athletics, really saved me from the militia group. It is through God’s mercy that I am alive. My dedication and resilience helped me move from my village to safety,” he reflects.
Even as the world celebrated his victories, Komon carried the heavy burden of knowing what was happening back home. “While people cheered my wins, back home it was fire—people being maimed, displaced, killed, and their land grabbed.”
Chasing records, inspired by Paul Tergat
In 2009, Komon began his pursuit of the world record, driven by the example of his mentor and icon, Paul Tergat. His determination would later pay off as he went on to set world records in the 10 km and 15 km road races, cementing his place among Kenya’s greats.
He set the world record in both the 10km and 15km races, just like his idol and mentor, Paul Tergat, who had dominated both locally and globally.
“For me to be in his class, I had to follow his footsteps. I went through the process, from cross country to the roads, until I became a world record holder. In my first road race in 2009, I competed against Eliud Kipchoge at the Singelloop 10km in Utrecht, Netherlands. At the time, the world record was held by Micah Kogo. Though I didn’t manage to break it then, I still won the race,” he said.
That victory gave him belief. By 2010, after focused preparation, he was ready to chase history.
“The previous year, I had promised the race director that I would set the world record — and it came to pass. During the race, I had so much energy, even faster than my pacesetters. At 5km, I was already inside world record pace. At 9km, I clocked 25:55, but I mistakenly thought it was 26:55. When I was told I was still within the record, I kicked harder, finishing in 26:44. I became the first man to run under 27 minutes for 10km — and I did it with thin shoes,” Komon recalled.
“I couldn’t believe I had set the world record. It took me two hours to accept it, and I felt a kind of happiness I had never known. But at the same time, I thought of the troubled villages of Kiptii, Chepkurkur, Chepyuk, and Chelebei — and here I was, setting a world record.”
Two months later, he added the 15km world record at the Zevenheuvelenloop in the Netherlands, clocking 41:13 to lower the previous mark of 41:29 held by Felix Limo and Deriba Merga.
“It was unbelievable. To think that a man from a militia-prone area like Mt Elgon, with all the suffering caused by SLDF could rise to break world records on foreign soil — it gave me hope. I had already won several silver medals, but now, with a world record, I thought of how I could help rescue my community,” he said.
With earnings from major races, Komon turned his focus to peace initiatives in Mt Elgon, where conflict had torn families apart.
“My own family was affected. My father and brothers were in custody, accused of mobilizing for the SLDF. My father, who once cherished his 100-acre farm granted to him by founding president Jomo Kenyatta, was caught up in the chaos,” Komon recalled.
The killing of Matwakei in 2008, by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) he was competing internationally, winning silver in Edinburgh, he was simultaneously grappling with grief, bloodshed, and family trauma.
He acknowledges that without athletics, he might have been drawn into violence—either as a victim or participant. Running became his lifeline, saying his athletic talent as a God-given tool for survival and transformation, not just for himself but for his family and community.
He says that the family lost their 100 acres of ancestral land, forcing them to relocate from Mt. Elgon to Eldoret, starting life anew from nothing, family displacement, just like Biblical Abraham, who left his homeland, seeing it as divine redirection rather than just tragedy.
“Me and my late brother never had any challenges. Since he was my elder brother, he was both a leader and a spiritual guide in the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church. I never imagined that things could change—that Christianity itself could be tested. But once you face challenges, sometimes faith begins to fade. He was the best person, a leader and the pillar both in the church and at home, so losing him was a terrible blow.”
After his brother was killed, Komon and the widow took on the responsibility of raising his children and preparing them for the future.
“As a family, we wanted peace in the region and we advocated for education. But that did not sit well with certain individuals who chose to take advantage of the situation.”
Has Komon retired from athletics?
Many athletes exit the stage quietly, but Komon insists he has not retired despite being away from competition for years and advancing in age.
“For now, I have not retired. When that time comes, I will announce it. I am still very active in sports, and to me, there is no retirement in sports. The only challenge I face is the number of injuries I sustained years back,” he assured.
Komon credits his dominance in athletics to the Kitwamba training camp, where he trained alongside the likes of Juma Ndiwa, among others.
“After my own success, I continued supporting the camp. Since I was once helped to reach this level, I have also worked to establish athletes like Abel Kipsang, Aron Cheminingw’a, and Cheroben, among others. Here as well, I have mentored 25 athletes who have gone through my hands. They have all travelled to various destinations across the world,” Komon concluded.