Nairobi News

Must ReadWhat's Hot

Ruto mourns former Athletic Kenya boss Kiplagat

By DAVID KWALIMWA September 1st, 2016 2 min read

Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday led mourners in celebrating the life of fallen Athletics Kenya President Isaiah “Fundi” Kiplagat.

Ruto was in attendance at the requiem mass for the long serving administrator, who was eulogised as a visionary and selfless leader whose legacy in sports development both locally and internationally will be remembered for years to come.

Kiplagat, 71, was extolled as a non-nonsense person who stood for what he thought was right, with a management style that transformed Kenya into an global powerhouse in the world of athletics.

Speakers at the mass that lasted for almost three hours at St Francis Anglican Church of Kenya, Karen, Nairobi, narrated how Kiplagat, a former Kenya Prisons Commandant and Post Bank Managing Director positively touched their lives.

The DP described Kiplagat as a nationalist whose exemplary work and contribution took Kenyan athletics to the pinnacle of global sports.

Ruto added that Kiplagat’s services to the nation transcended sports onto other fields like banking and education where his absence will be felt.

KIPLAGAT’S LEGACY

“When Kiplagat decided to do something he did it with his whole heart and to perfection. He stood firm in decisions and was rarely swayed,” Ruto said.

“When writing the history of sports in the country that book will not be complete without a full chapter on this great man.”

Kiplagat, who succumbed to cancer at his Nairobi home on August 24, is survived by his wife Joan and four children. He will be laid to rest on Friday at his rural home in Kapseret, Eldoret.

Also in attendance at the service were Cabinet Secretary for Sports Dr Hassan Wario, former Sports Minister Helen Sambili, Senators Amos Wako and Zipporah Kittony (nominated), AK President Jackson Tuwei, National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) chairman Kipchoge Keino and former Football Kenya Federation President Sam Nyamweya.

Kenya won 16 medals at the 2015 Athletics World Championships (seven gold, six silver and three bronze), while all the 13 medals (six gold, six silver and one bronze) that the country won at the just concluded Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil came from track and field events.