Former Harambee Stars striker Bonaventure Maruti has dismissed shocking reports claiming he is dead.
The retired football star described the claims as “malicious and misleading” and warned that he would take legal action against those spreading the false reports.
In a strongly worded statement released on his socials, Maruti condemned reports circulated by a local television station, the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA), and former Deputy Chief of Staff at the Executive Office of the President, Eliud Owalo, which alleged that the former Kenyan international had passed away.
“My attention has been drawn to a malicious and misleading publication… that I am dead,” Maruti said, adding emphatically, “I am alive and in perfect health.”
The former attacker, who represented Kenya at the international level and remains a respected figure within the local football fraternity, expressed outrage that such sensitive information was published without any attempt to verify the facts with his family or close associates.
According to Maruti, neither the media house nor the individuals involved reached out to his relatives or friends before the publication, a move he says caused unnecessary panic and emotional distress.
“I take it that the publication was a deliberate attempt to cause panic and consternation to my family, friends, and the general public without any factual basis,” the statement read.
Maruti further criticised what he termed as reckless conduct by parties who should understand the gravity of spreading unverified information, particularly claims involving death.
“It is deeply regrettable that a national television station, a footballers’ welfare body, and a public figure could publish such sensitive information without establishing its veracity,” he said, noting the emotional and psychological toll the claims had on his loved ones.
Maruti confirmed that he has instructed his lawyers to urgently pursue the issue on his behalf.
“I have instructed my team of lawyers to handle the matter with utmost urgency,” he stated.