Kenya is in mourning following the death of Jairus Birech, the 2014 African 3000m steeplechase champion, who passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the age of 32. The news was confirmed by his brother and has been met with tributes from the athletics community worldwide.
World Athletics expressed its condolences, saying: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jairus Birech, a remarkable athlete and African champion.”
Born on December 14, 1992, Birech quickly rose to prominence on the international stage.
His breakthrough came in 2011, when he secured a silver medal at the African Junior Championships in Gaborone, signalling the arrival of a new Kenyan talent in steeplechase.
Birech’s career peaked in 2014, a year that would cement his place among the world’s elite.
He recorded the fastest 3000m steeplechase time globally, clocking 7:58.41 in Brussels—a personal best that placed him 12th on the all-time world record list.
That year, he also claimed the African title in Marrakech and took home a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
In 2015, he narrowly missed a medal at the World Championships in Beijing, finishing just 0.08 seconds off the podium.
He also enjoyed success on the Diamond League circuit, winning three meetings that year.
Birech continued to compete at the highest level, including the London World Championships in 2017, and raced in the Diamond League until 2018.
From 2019, he shifted his focus to road running, achieving a notable half-marathon time of 1:00:23 in September 2015.
His death marks a profound loss for Kenyan athletics, where he was celebrated not only for his speed and endurance but also for his dedication and sportsmanship.
Tributes have poured in from fellow athletes and fans, commemorating a career that inspired a new generation of steeplechase runners.
Birech’s legacy endures as one of Kenya’s remarkable middle-distance talents, remembered for both his record-breaking performances and his contribution to the country’s storied history in steeplechase.
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