Rift Valley Gen Zs during an event where Moi University students and Uasin Gishu County partnered with Coca-Cola Kenya to host the “Old Skool” event—a celebration of nostalgia through fashion, music, and art./HANDOUTIn the heart of Rift Valley, names like Kipchoge, Kipyegon, Kiptum, Kemboi, Kiprop, Korir, and Cheruiyot and many more do more than trigger national pride.
To the Gen Z of this region—fondly dubbed the Home of Champions—these names are personal.
They evoke memories, awaken aspirations and forge a deep sense of belonging.
These athletes are more than sports icons; they are cultural anchors.
Their names have become part of daily life, etched into the dreams of children, inscribed on school walls and echoed on matatus.
Long before Eliud Kipchoge shattered marathon records and redefined human limits, Kipchoge Keino carved the name into Kenya’s global identity.
Rising to fame in the 1960s, Keino—an Olympic gold medalist and trailblazing middle-distance runner—was among the first African athletes to shine on the world stage.
Rift Valley Gen Zs during an event where Moi University students and Uasin Gishu County partnered with Coca-Cola Kenya to host the “Old Skool” event—a celebration of nostalgia through fashion, music, and art./HANDOUTHis legacy laid the foundation for Kenya’s athletics dominance, inspiring a generational wave of champions.
Today, the name Kipchoge represents more than individual greatness.
It’s a symbol of perseverance, national pride, and generational hope.
In this region, Kemboi is synonymous with steeplechase greatness. Ezekiel Kemboi clinched Olympic and World Championship golds, his unique victory dance becoming a trademark of Kenyan joy.
Clement Kemboi and Cornelius Kemboi have also blazed their own trails, with Cornelius twice winning the Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships.
The name Cheruiyot stretches across decades—from Kipkoech and Charles Cheruiyot, who dominated in the 1980s, to Vivian Cheruiyot, a four-time World Champion, and Timothy Cheruiyot, a 1500m maestro.
Rift Valley Gen Zs showcase their stylish oufits during an event where Moi University students and Uasin Gishu County partnered with Coca-Cola Kenya to host the “Old Skool” event—a celebration of nostalgia through fashion, music, and art./HANDOUT
Meanwhile, Kipyegon resonates far and wide, thanks to Faith Kipyegon, the world-record holder in the 1500m and mile events.
She has redefined what is possible in women’s athletics, while the late Kipyegon Bett, winner of the 800m at the 2016 World U20 Championships, also left a mark of promise.
The name Kiptum, now immortalized by the late Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away in 2023, evokes both awe and sorrow.
He stunned the world with his marathon record, running under 2 hours 1 minute.
Others, like Abraham Kiptum, who briefly held the half-marathon world record, also contributed to the mythos.
Names on Bottles, Stories in Our Hearts
Last weekend, Moi University in Uasin Gishu County partnered with Coca-Cola Kenya to host the “Old Skool” event—a celebration of nostalgia through fashion, music, and art.
Rift Valley Gen Zs during an event where Moi University students and Uasin Gishu County partnered with Coca-Cola Kenya to host the “Old Skool” event—a celebration of nostalgia through fashion, music, and art./HANDOUT
Coca-Cola’s ‘Share a Coke’ campaign featured bottles branded not just with personal names, but also with iconic athlete surnames that resonate across the Rift Valley.
Students were thrilled to find their names—or those of their sporting heroes—on the bottles. It wasn’t just about soda. It was about identity.
“I was excited to spot my name on a Coca-Cola bottle. I feel honoured and connected,” said Lydia Cherop, a Third-Year Communication student.
“Even if I don’t find my name, I’ll still buy one with names like Kipyegon or Kipchoge. These are our heroes—they define this region,” she added.
Faith Chebet, another student, shared a similar sentiment:
“Seeing my name on the bottle made me feel recognized. But even if I spot names like Eliud Kipchoge or Faith Kipyegon, I’ll buy and keep the bottle—it connects me to their legacy.”
Benard Korir, whose village is home to Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, beamed with pride:
“If I see her name on a bottle, I’ll feel like my village has been honoured.”
According to Monique Katana, Director of Frontline Marketing at Coca-Cola Kenya, the campaign is about more than personalisation.
“‘Share a Coke’ reminds us that memories are made when we come together. Whether through laughter, storytelling, or a simple drink shared between friends—those moments of connection are what make life special.”
The campaign, first launched globally in 2011, introduced the idea of swapping the brand’s logo with popular names—a game-changer in personalisation.
Now, Coca-Cola is inviting a new generation to experience that magic, one name at a time.
Research shows Gen Z values authenticity and real connection.
In a world dominated by fleeting online interactions, something as simple as finding a meaningful name on a Coke bottle can make someone feel seen, valued, and part of something greater.
