He became Kenya's first gold medalist when he won the 10,000 metres race at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

At the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, he beat the world record holder Ron Clarke to win the six mile race.

Mamo Wolde went to lead at the bell, but Temu passed him with 50 m remaining to win the gold.

Four days later, he won a bronze medal in the 5,000 m, narrowly beaten by Mohammed Gammoudi from Tunisia and fellow countryman Kipchoge Keino.

He finished nineteenth in the 10,000 m at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, and was eliminated in the 10,000 m heats at the 1972 Summer Olympics.