Two weeks ago, while seated on his hospital bed, Kenya’s athletics legend Nyandika Mayioro 88, requested the Government to intervene and end a boundary dispute at his rural home at Isoge settlement scheme, in Nyamira.
But on Sunday evening, Maiyoro’s lifeless body was wheeled to some private morgue in Kisii, ending a journey of a man who has been fighting for the recognition and honour that befits a retired athletics legend.
Even as Maiyoro took his last breath, his family remembers unfulfilled promises to Maiyoro from Kisii and Nyamira County Governments.
Maiyiro religiously attended national public functions at Gusii Stadium and could, on several occasions receive, handouts from leaders.
During the Inter-County Games in August last year, leaders led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga raised more than Sh800,000 that was shared among 10 retired athletes who were present during the function.
The deceased is said to have owned an expansive farm at Isoge Settlement scheme where his second family lives and in his ancestral home in Nyaribari Chache, where his first wife Teresia Mogute and their last born son Geoffrey Nyamache live.
Mogute has nine children while the second wife Pacificah Gekondo has 10 children.
Apostle Kennedy Nyandika, Mzee Maiyoro’s eldest son, told The Standard at their Isoge home that their father, who has been in hospital for close to three weeks, died due to failed lungs.
“We have lost a mentor and father who always talked of family unity. He died while fighting to have his children get formal employment,” said Nyandika.
