Here is an overview of the life, career, and death of Jairus Kipchoge Birech, the Kenyan steeplechase star who won the 2014 African 3000m steeplechase title, based on current reports.

Early life and rise

Born: December 14, 1992, in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. (Citizen Digital)

• Background: He came from Kesses, Uasin Gishu—an area known for producing distance runners. (Citizen Digital)

Birech showed promise early on in his career.

He won a silver medal in the African Junior Athletics Championships in 2011 and steadily built his reputation on the international circuit. (Nairobileo)

Peak achievements

2014 was a standout year for Birech, during which he established himself among the world’s elite steeplechasers.

Some of his major accomplishments include:

• 2014 African Championships (Marrakech): He won the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase. (Capital FM)

• Diamond League success: He won multiple Diamond League races that year, including in Rome, Monaco, Birmingham, and Lausanne. (Capital FM)

• Breaking the 8‑minute barrier: At the Diamond League Final in Brussels, he clocked 7:58.41, becoming one of the few men to run the steeplechase in under eight minutes. (Nairobileo)

• He also won the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medal. (Nairobileo)

After 2014, Birech remained a strong steeplechaser through 2015, capturing more wins and maintaining high levels of performance.

Over time, though, he began to participate less on the track and more in road races. (Citizen Digital)

Later career & last competitions

• Birech ventured into road running. Notably, in 2019 he ran a half‑marathon in Milan, recording a time of 1:00:33. (Citizen Digital)

• His last known international competition was the 2020 Guadalajara Marathon in Mexico. (Tnx Africa)

Illness and death

• Date of death: September 18, 2025. He was 32 years old. (Nairobileo)

• Circumstances: He fell ill around September 16, 2025, with severe body pains, and was admitted to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. (Citizen Digital)

• Doctors diagnosed him with tuberculosis and spinal meningitis. (Citizen Digital)

• He was hospitalized for about two weeks before passing away. (Tnx Africa)

Legacy & reaction

• Jairus Birech is remembered as one of Kenya’s great steeplechasers. His performances—especially in 2014—helped maintain Kenya’s dominance in the discipline globally. (Wikipedia)

• Immediately following news of his death, there have been many tributes from fellow athletes, sports administrators, and public figures. (Tnx Africa)

He is survived by his wife and two children. (Citizen Digital)