President William Ruto has insisted that Kenya should no longer be classified among Third World or developing nations, arguing that the country’s athletic dominance reflects its true potential for global excellence. Speaking on Thursday morning at State House, Nairobi, during a celebratory breakfast with Kenya’s athletics team from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Ruto said it was time to change how both Kenyans and the world perceive the country. Kenya finished second overall out of 198 countries, behind only the United States, winning 11 medals – seven gold, two silver, and two bronze. Emotions ran high at the event as President Ruto fought back tears while addressing Kenya’s athletics team. To be the second best in the whole world out of 198 countries is no mean achievement,” said the Head of State.