2024 was a phenomenal year for women’s sport in Kenya. Amongst other achievements, women athletes won three of Kenya’s four gold medals at the Paris Olympics; in November, Kenyan women were first, second and third in the New York City Marathon; and on the very last day of 2024, double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet smashed the women’s 5000 metre record with an incredible time of 13 minutes and 24 seconds.

And yet the biggest news story about a sportswoman in Kenya last year was when Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei was set on fire by her former boyfriend, dying days later.

The brutal tragedy shone a light on the gender-based violence some female athletes face – and the risks they face. Success and talent can make them targets for predatory men, while low levels of education and exposure to male coaches at a young age can leave them isolated and vulnerable.

Today on Africa Daily Peter Musembi speaks to Elizabeth Keitany, appointed as the executive in charge of safeguarding for Athletics Kenya this year, as well as former Olympic champion Nancy Chebet, one of the very few women who’ve made the transition from athlete to coach.

Morteza Hajizadeh

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