As the season of handshake takes centre stage, 2019 First Lady Beyond Zero half marathon champion Brilliant Jepkorir was denied podium access to receive her prize after winning winning the race on Sunday.
“I was denied a chance to shake the hands of First lady Margaret Kenyatta and president Uhuru Kenyatta,” said Jepkorir.
The Elgeyo Marakwet runner said presidential security denied her a chance after her name was called to received her prize.
The crying Jepkorir, who won the 2019 Discovery Cross country in Eldoret said the joy of an athlete is to be awarded when the crowned that cheered her to victory witnesses.
“My name was called out to move to the podium to receive my dummy cheque but the security denied me an opportunity to move to the podium,” said the former junior runner who has returned into athletics after three years.
The sobering Jepkorir says she received her cheque later despite the humiliation.
She said that those claiming I was in the Anti Doping Room are not genuine.
“I was through with ADAK when I was called to move to the podium but some are claiming I was still there,” claimed Jepkorir.
“Even if i missed to received the cheque in public, am lucky that someone picked out for me,” added Jepkorir.
She blamed race organisers for missing to know who are the right people.