Addis Ababa, February 13, 2026 (FMC) – Kenyan athletics sensation Mercy Chepngeno, 18, has signed a landmark Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Swiss sportswear company On, marking a major step in her burgeoning career. The agreement positions Chepngeno among the growing ranks of elite global student-athletes representing international brands.
Chepngeno, a Form 3 student at Chagaik Secondary School in Kenya, first captured global attention in 2024 when photos of her competing barefoot at the KSSSA Regional Levels in Kapsabet went viral. Since then, she has steadily risen through the junior ranks, establishing herself as one of Kenya’s most promising distance runners.
Her recent achievements include Gold medals in the 3,000m steeplechase and 1,500m at the 2026 Track and Field Open in Thika, Kenya, as well as a Silver medal at the Africa U-20 Championships in Nigeria in 2025. Under the guidance of her coach, Rono, Chepngeno has honed her skills on the high-altitude tea estate paths of Kericho County, demonstrating both resilience and exceptional talent.
In 2025, she earned the title of Double National Champion in the 1,500m and 2,000m at the KSSSA Games, followed by a Gold medal at the Betika Weekend Meet in Machakos. Her continental breakthrough came in December 2025 with a Silver medal in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Africa U-20 Championships in Nigeria. Most recently, in January 2026, she reinforced her dominance by claiming double Gold in the 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase at the Thika Weekend Meet.
“At On, we believe the future of athletics is shaped by athletes like Mercy, who combine exceptional talent with extraordinary work ethic,” said Libby Davidson, NIL Athlete Manager at On. “Her double victory in Thika and Silver at the Africa U-20 Championships confirm she is a star in the making. We are proud to provide her with the gear and support to pursue her dreams on the track as well as her ambition to become a doctor.”
Chepngeno’s signing represents a milestone not only for her personal career but also highlights the growing global recognition of young Kenyan athletes in international sports partnerships.