He graduated from Litein High School. He played football and basketball when still at school and did not take up athletics until December 2001, when he met Moses Tanui who persuaded him to become runner. Only seven months later he became World Junior Champion, in his first race outside Kenya. Before becoming a full-time athlete, he served as a waiter at his uncle's food cafe in Chepkanga, Uasing Gishu District.
His breakthrough year was 2006, in which he won several titles. On 23 March, he won the men's 800 metres event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games with a time of 1 minute, 45.88 seconds.
On 26 April, he was part of the world record squad in the distance medley relay, running a 3:52.8 final (1600m) leg.
In August, he completed an 800 and 1500 metres double at the 2006 African Championships in Athletics in Bambous, Mauritius.
After 2006 he has been unable to match his earlier performances. In May 2010 he returned to competition after a nearly two-year break caused by a hamstring injury.[3]
