The Kenyan athletics community is in mourning following a disturbing wave of unexplained deaths among prominent athletes within a single week. This tragic series of events has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding these fatalities.
Clement Kemboi
The latest athlete to tragically pass away is Clement Kemboi, the 2015 African Games champion in the 3000m steeplechase. His untimely death has left fans and fellow athletes alike reeling in shock.
Kipyegon Bett
Another significant loss is that of Kipyegon Bett, a talented runner who secured a bronze medal in the 800m at the 2017 World Championships in London. Bett died at the young age of 26 due to renal and hepatic failure, adding to the grief felt throughout the athletics community.
Willy Chelawa
In addition, Willy Chelawa, a participant in the 2024 Nairobi City Marathon, was found deceased at a motel in Kaptagat. Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Peter Mulinge confirmed the news, although the cause of Chelawa’s death remains shrouded in mystery. His passing joins the troubling trend of marathoners who have died under suspicious or tragic circumstances.
Rebbecca Cheptegei
The situation is further compounded by the tragic fate of Rebbecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan athlete who was buried last week after a horrific attack. Cheptegei, 33, suffered severe burns after being doused in gasoline and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, just days after competing in the recent Olympics in Paris.
Damaris Mutua
In 2021, Damaris Mutua, 28, was discovered dead in Iten, with her Ethiopian boyfriend identified as the primary suspect in her murder. Her body was found strangled and lying on a bed in her boyfriend’s house, prompting an investigation that remains ongoing. The suspect reportedly confessed to a friend before going into hiding.
Agnes Tirop
Agnes Tirop, a former world cross-country champion, was murdered in her Iten home in 2021. Tirop had expressed intentions to divorce her husband, Rotich, due to suspicions of infidelity and his excessive spending. She was found with fatal stab wounds and signs of violence. Rotich fled after leaving a confession note but was later apprehended, initially pleading not guilty.
Kelvin Kiptum
In a tragic accident, Kelvin Kiptum lost his life on February 11, 2023, when he lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a tree. He was accompanied by his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, both of whom died at the scene.
Nicholas Bett
Nicholas Bett, the world champion in the 400-meter hurdles, died in a devastating traffic accident in Nandi in August 2018. His vehicle veered off the road and into a ditch, resulting in his untimely death at just 28 years old.
Benjamin Kiplagat
In December 2023, Benjamin Kiplagat, a Kenyan-Ugandan athlete, was discovered dead in his car in Eldoret, having suffered a severe neck wound. Kiplagat had a distinguished career, earning a bronze medal at the 2012 Africa Championships and representing his country at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Samuel Wanjiru
Finally, marathoner Samuel Wanjiru tragically passed away in 2011 at the age of 24 after falling from his balcony in Yahururu, marking another heartbreaking chapter in the story of Kenyan athletics.
Conclusion
The recent string of mysterious deaths among these esteemed athletes has not only cast a shadow over the Kenyan athletics community but also raised alarming questions about their safety and well-being. As investigations continue, the legacy of these talented individuals remains etched in the hearts of their fans and fellow athletes.