By Mutwiri Mutuota

Kenyan athlete, Barnabas Kipkoech, died on November 30 in Goiania, the capital of the Brazilian State of Goias and his family are appealing for assistance to bring the body home.

Kipkoech is reported to have collapsed and later died while competing at a half-marathon in the central-western city of the South American nation.

"We are yet to establish the cause of death and neither do we have the full details of how he died, but the little we know is that his body is in Goiania," his brother David Chepkwony, told FeverPitch.

According to him, Kipkoech left the country on November 7 and featured in his first road race the following weekend where he finished third.

A week later (November 23), Kipkoech was to take to the field again but withdrew from the race. He then lined up for the fateful event where he collapsed before the finish.

Kipkoech’s athlete friend, Wesley Kiprotich said: "Last week (November 23) Barnaba did not finish the race and he said he had breathing problems. He went for a race in Goiania on Friday (November 28). At the race he fell down after 5km. I was not in that race so I don’t know much by now, but I will contact you later," the athlete who was in Brazil at that time added.

To date, details on what transpired have been scanty and the family does not even know where their kin’s remains are preserved or the identity of the manager that took him to Brazil.

Chepkwony said that the family received the sad news from a friend who had housed the late athlete before he left for Brazil.

"We are coming to Nairobi tomorrow (today) to begin the process that will bring my brother home. We are appealing to the Government to assist us in transporting the body for the burial," Chepkwony said.

Kipkoech is survived by a widow and two sons aged nine and eight. In July he re-launched his career after a debilitating injury sidelined him for four years.

"We are also appealing to the Government and Athletics Kenya to assist his children through their education," Chepkwony added.

When contacted, AK top officials said they had not been informed by the next of kin about Kipkoech’s demise and would only take action once the news was officially presented to them.

AK chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat, said the family were welcome to seek assistance although they were yet to contact the federation.

Difficult period

"We do not know about the demise of the runner but we will do all what we can once they come to us. It is a sad story and we will be together with the family during this difficult period."

His secretary, David OKeyo, added, "We cannot act since official communication about the death has not been made to us. This matter also involves the Government that should assist in bring back the body."

Kipkoech began his career as a track runner specialising in 3,000m and 5,000m races.

He set a personal best of 7:54.98 Oslo in the 3,000m in July 1997 and in July 2001, ran 13:33.64 for his top time in the 12 and a half lap race in Maia.

He switched to road running and recorded his best performance in 2004 when he was crowned the Czech Republic’s Marathon champion with a 2:12:15 effort.