Julius Yego concerned by death of three Kenyan athletes in one week
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 10.10.24. | 20:26
The latest case was that of 2015 African Games 3000m steeplechase champion Clement Kemboi with authorities in Iten treating his death as suicide
World javelin champion Julius Yego became the latest high sportsman to express his concern over the increasing deaths of athletes.
In the past week, the country lost three athletes, and 'YouTube Man' noted that it is disturbing.
“Seem a lot is happening in silence amongst our athletes! Something is not right! So sad and heartbreaking!” he started.
He urged people to look out for one another and offer support where possible to reduce the cases, noting that ‘the current state of humanity is facing a serious mental health crisis’.
“Let us be checking on that neighbour, give emotional support, mental support, psychological support, and whatever support you can, let’s not wait for them to die,” he offered.
The latest case was that of 2015 African Games 3000m steeplechase champion Clement Kemboi with authorities in Iten treating his death as suicide.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner Peter Mulinge said the athlete’s lifeless body was suspended on a rope tied to a tree at St Patrick Boys High School grounds in Koisungur village in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Mulinge revealed that the discovery was made after the local chief alerted him to the presence of a body hanging from a tree with a rope.
Police officers who visited the scene confirmed that Kemboi’s body had started to decompose, and his right leg had been partially eaten by dogs.
Commander Mulinge further noted that the circumstances surrounding his sudden death were unclear as no note or indication was left behind to give a clue.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and the body has been taken to Iten Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem to determine the exact cause of death.
Clement Kemboi, a 3000m steeplechase specialist, first made a name for himself in 2015 when, as a teenager, he won the Africa Games.
Six years later, he achieved international success by winning his first major circuit event at the 2021 Weltklasse in Biberach, clocking a personal best of 8:34.22 in the 3000m.
His steady rise continued as he impressed on the global stage in subsequent events.
His conquest in 2015 had him ranked eighth worldwide in the men's steeplechase, even drawing comparisons to the legendary Ezekiel Kemboi.
In 2016, he set his personal best of 8:10.65 at the Doha Diamond League.
His demise follows that of 2016 World Athletics U-20 800m champion Kipyegon Bett who succumbed to kidney and liver failure at the age of 26 at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County where he had been admitted.
Elsewhere former marathoner Samson Kandie succumbed to injuries at Real Hospital in Eldoret where he had been rushed after being assaulted by unknown assailants at his home in Uasin Gishu County.
Kandie will be laid to rest on Friday 18 October at his farm in Flax, Kapsundei. The fundraising will be held on Tuesday, 15 October at his residence in Elgon View, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
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