Who will save ailing Conjestina? Once revered boxer Achieng has turned into laughing stock and shunned by friends

Former female boxer Conjestina Acheng' at home in Yala Siaya County.PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

No one saw this coming; not least her supporters. But, boxer Conjestina Achieng’s condition continues to elicit sympathy from everyone who knows her.

Who will ever forget those days when she dismissed her opponents with much ease and absolute finesse? It was pure nostalgia for every boxing fan, who had the chance to cheer on ‚Conje’ as her adversaries fell under heavy blows that couldn’t stop raining. Oh, those were the days.

She was a darling for all. Those are the days when senior government and sports officials were happy to be associated with the successful boxer. She put Kenya on the world boxing map, no doubt.

Former female boxer Conjestina Acheng' at home in Yala Siaya County.PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

But that was then. Things are different now. The hitherto champion is a pale shadow of herself. Accolades and praises that tagged along with her boxing prowess have now been reduced to ridicule and utter gossip.

Conjestina, 37, has been reduced to a beggar, who is shunned by people who once loved her. But now that she is sick, no one wants to associate with her as she roams streets of Yala, Siaya County.

In her Umiru village, Nyamninia sub-location, Conje continues to face rejection.

“Sometimes I am called by neighbours that Achieng has been beaten by youth in the village. She is a shadow of her former self,” says her mother Gertrude Auma Adala.

Her sister Caroline Atieno, who lived with Conje in Lucky Summer Nairobi, says many friends came to her aid contributing money to help her, including renowned comedian ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki.

Former female boxer Conjestina Achieng's mother Getrude Adalla at her home in Yala Siaya county.PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

She, however, stated not all funds reached the family. The family’s problem have been compounded by the fact that Conje’s father, Clement Adala, is currently hospitalised at Kisumu’s Jalaram Hospital after he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis.

Conjestina’s mother sits pensively in her maroon sofa-set as the boxer’s sister welcomes us.

She then painfully says in Luo “Wuoda iduogo? An Aol, Akia ni Achim Kanye kata Atim nang’o, Achieng tuonecha oduogo, Aol gi kwa kony, jok moko wee ni achamo pesama osol, Apenji, de icham pesa ma osol ne nyathi ma inyuolo mondo othiethgo (You are back again. I am tired my son, I don’t know where to go or what to do. Some people think I eat money collected to help Conje get medication, but let me ask you, I gave birth to her, can I be that mean),” she asks.

The mother says the sickness is fond of attacking Achieng in June and takes a toll on her for a long period until she is treated.

Last year, she was admitted in July and discharged on October 26 after well-wishers came to her rescue.

“She was detained at the Avenue hospital, after she failed to clear a medical bill worth Sh529, 000. Businessman Sammy Wakiaga, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero among others, however, came to Conje’s aid and cleared the bill,” says the mother.

The hospital gave a 10 per cent waiver on the bill and promised to keep contact to ensure her condition fully stabilises.

Conjestina was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and was admitted at Mathari Hospital on September 8, 2012 after she relapsed in a psychotic episode that left her parents in shock.

The chairman of the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission Association (KPBCA) Hillary Onyango Alila said he had learnt of her predicament and sent Sh10, 000 to help the family as he speaks to Sports Ministry and the government to look into her issue.

“I am hardly a month old in the office. I learnt of Achieng’s predicament in the local FM stations and sent her parents Sh10, 000 to help them as we look for ways to support her. We still are laying structures and I am sure we will help her regain her former state,” said Alila.

He added, “Next month, we will convene a stakeholders forum that will bring together the commission, former and current boxers, coaches, promoters, Ministry of Sports, county sports officials and journalists to share ideas. We will then develop a blueprint to use to revive the game.”

He promised to form a savings and credit co-operative organisation (Sacco) to help former and upcoming boxers. It is a pathetic situation, but we are urging all former boxers to register with us. We want to form a savings and credit co-operative organisation (Sacco). We will give them credit to engage in income-generating activities. We will also engage former boxers in our events. Next week, we will visit Conjestina Achieng to give her money to enable her get proper medical care,” Alila said.

Conjestina blames her woes on the neglect by the sporting industry and the government. She said in an exclusive interview with Game Yetu that she represented the country and won world titles for Kenya, but at her time of need, she is now deserted.

“I fought for Kenya, when I went out there I didn’t go as Conjestina. I carried the Kenyan Flag,” she says then leaves us standing on the road next to her home.

Oscar Modoch, a sports lover, who is also from Gem and whose home neighbours the Umira home of the former female pugilist, says he feels the government should help the boxer.