Kenya head coach David Letting claims junior runner received death threats

Coach David Leting with Bedan Karoki

Kenya head coach David Letting has allegedly claimed  that one of his junior women 6km runners, Winfred Nzisa Mbithe, received death threats that could have cost their team’s winning attitude at the 41st IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China.

According to Super Sport, Letting approached reporters after the final race of the day on Saturday to make startling claims on the runner who finished 10th on her World Cross debut.

He told reporters:  “There is something I want to say about the junior women. There was somebody who called and threatened Mbithe telling her if she wins, she will not return home alive.

“Authorities should investigate who made the phone call. Before we left Kigari, someone called at night and when it was reported in the morning, we tried to call back, the guy had locked his phone and we reported to (Athletics Kenya vice-president) Paul Mutwii.

“I believe the threats affected the whole team because as juniors, they can easily be scared,” he added after archrivals Ethiopia claimed a podium sweep through Letesenbet Gidey (19:48), Dera Dida (19:49) and Etagegn Woldu (19:53).’’

Kenyans surrendered the  bid for 6km title defence in the last two kilometres. Five Ethiopians shadowed Daisy Jepkemei, who took over the front running duties until the last kilometre when Gidey, the strongest of their contingent on the day struck, side stepping the leader and deploying the afterburners on a hard twisting course.