Matthew Kiprotich Birir (born July 2, 1972) is a former Kenyan athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Born in Eldama Ravine, Kenya , Matthew Birir started running, when he attended at the famous St. Patrick's High School in Iten , where many great Kenyan runners are rosen.

At the Barcelona Olympics, the main favourite was Partick Sang . At the Olympic final, it was soon clear, that all the medals are going to Kenya. At the last lap, the 20-year-old Birir outsprinted his older countryman Sang to win a gold 0.69 seconds ahead of latter.

At the 1993 World Championships Birir was beaten to fourth by Italian Alessandro Lambruschini , who repeated this feat three years later at the 1996 Summer Olympics, so Birir had to settle again with fourth place.