Kenya and the entire athletics fraternity was thrown into mourning following the brutal murder of a veteran athlete. A Kenyan athlete Samson Kandie died after being attacked in his home in Elgon View Estate in Eldoret.
Speaking to the press, his daughter Vienna Kandie said she found his father injured at their home and rushed him to hospital where he lost his life.
“My mother called him at around 7.30pm and he said he was on his way home. However, at around 9pm we called my father, and an unknown person picked the phone and told us to check behind the toilet at our home,” she revealed.
She found Kandie badly injured and the family rushed him to hospital for treatment.
“I found him. My dad was tied. His hands and legs were tied. He was brutally beaten. We rushed him to the hospital,” she added.
Addressing the media following Kandie’s attack and death, athletes who arrived at Eldoret Hospital called on the government to enhance their security adding that their lives are at risk.
“Thieves are targeting athletes. It is sad that we have buried one of us recently and now we are burying Kandie,” athlete Ezekiel Kemboi stated.
On the other hand, another athlete, Daniel Komen, urged the government to provide security for Kenyan athletes saying they are often targeted by criminals.
“Members of parliament have security. Athletes bring glory to Kenya by winning medals, yet they’re not protected,” he remarked.
Samson Kandie Achievements in Athletics
Kandie won the Vienna Marathon in 2004 and finished third in 1999 and 1998 Berlin marathons. He also represented Kenya at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada but did not finish his marathon race.
He also won the 2002 Sapporo Marathon and the 2004 Vienna Marathon.
The marathoner set his personal best of 2:08:31 at the 1999 Berlin Marathon, where he finished third.
Kandie also recorded third place at the Xiamen Marathon in China in 2000 and at the 2003 Prague Marathon after clocking 2:11:48 and 2:14:02 respectively.
His other marathon win came in San Sebastian Spain in 2001 after clocking 2:10:21.
Also Read: Athlete Collapses & Dies After Finishing a Race
His death came after another athlete was attacked in September 2024 and died. Uganda’s long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei was doused in petrol at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County, set alight and died.
Dickosn Ndiema, the man who was alleged to be his partner was the suspect in the attack and he also died in hospital while receiving treatment.
The incidence caused an uproar in the country and around the world with stakeholders in the athletics world pushing for measures to protect athletes.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
