He is the current holder of the Asian indoor record over 5000 m which he broke in Düsseldorf in February 2009.

He had his first success while competing for Kenya when he won the bronze medal in the 3000 m at the 2001 World Youth Championships in Athletics.

His first senior medal came at the 2004 IAAF World Athletics Final, where he took the 3000 m silver.

He represented Qatar at the Olympics for the first time with an appearance at the 2008 Beijing Games – he finished eighth in the 5000 m. He improved at the next major competition, taking the bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.

From the beginning of his career, he was coached by the Italian Renato Canova, under the management of Gianni Demadonna.