Africa’s fastest short-distance sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala recently opened up about the multi-million deals he earned in 2024 that saw him join the multi-millionaires club.
The marathoner revealed that 2024 was the year he made most of his millions since starting his career nine years ago.
He secured several lucrative endorsement deals with top companies including Visa, Adidas, Absa Bank Kenya, Tusker, Toyota Oppo Kenya, and Odibet, among others.
For instance, in his deal with Tusker, Omanyala was paid Sh5 million to influence the purchase of Tusker products during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He also has a deal with giant kit maker Adidas, which was recently extended up to 2028. Omanyala first signed a deal with Adidas in January 2022.
“Financially I have been quite successful after having so much support which has allowed me to achieve some good milestones in life like building a house,” Omanyala told Nation.
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The sprinter revealed he is using part of his earnings to construct a seven-bedroom mansion in Ruiru, Kiambu county, which he estimates will cost him Ksh50 million when completed.
Besides his sponsorship deals, Omanyala has had a successful racing career which also earned him millions of cash despite not winning any major championship.
In 2024, he completed 27 races earning appearance fees and winning bonuses. Omanyala finished second in the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic, earning $6,000 (Sh771,000).
“I collected an appearance fee of Sh3.5 million in most of the races but the ABSA Kip Keino Classic was one of the best,” he revealed.
Omanyala has also invested in other sectors including the lucrative real estate sector and the fashion industry through a clothing line managed by his wife.
Reportedly, he joined hands with ask Homes to develop ‘The Hills’ development in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado county as part of his retirement plan.
“I’m in a sport that doesn’t last forever and it comes down to investments and making my first millions… I came into this project as an investor, it’s not yet over but we’re now up with it and I’m looking forward to a very great project,” he said in a past interview.
He also owns a collection of high-end cars worth Sh43 million. These include a Mercedes E-Class worth Sh8.4 million, a Toyota Harrier worth Sh5 million, a Toyota Prado Adventure Plus J250 worth Sh23 million, and two Toyota Hilux Double Cabin worth a combined Sh6.5 million.
