REVEALED: How Impala utility back player Sidindi died

Stanley Isogol (R) evades Richard Sidindi of Impala during the Enterprise Cup final at RFUEA grounds on Saturday 05/05/18. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Impala Saracens utility back Richard “Real Jadhah Power” Sidindi died of sheer drowning while swimming at the Impala Sports Club swimming pool, on Monday morning.

According to a postmortem report and CCTV footage obtained from the club, Sidindi died while in the pool.

Sidindi, an Information Technology expert by profession, last featured for the Gazelles in last weekend’s second team’s 18-11 defeat to Homeboyz in the Eric Shirley Shield encounter.

“The postmortem investigation at Chiromo showed no signs of stroke or heart attack. It ruled it was sheer drowning. Toxicological results will take a minimum of three weeks,” Impala Saracens Director of Rugby, Fred Ollows told The Standard Sports.

The club’s Honorary Secretary Charles Kabaiku added: “As per the CCTV footage, there were no injuries. He swam normally for a while before eventually drowning.”

Sidindi joined Impala in 2011 from Kisumu RFC which he featured for while studying at Maseno University.

In a long post on his Facebook page, former Impala chairman Peter Nduati termed his demise as a big blow to the Kenyan rugby.

“I last spoke to him on Saturday at Impala after he played against Homeboyz. Yesterday morning, I received the news of his death by drowning at Impala pool and I still can’t believe he is gone," wrote Nduati.

"Impala and indeed the entire rugby fraternity has lost a true son of the sport,” wrote Nduati.

Impala Saracens utility back Richard “Real Jadhah Power” Sidindi. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

In a statement, Kisumu RFC said: “Despite making a move to Impala Saracens, he was never too far from Kisumu; often monitoring their progress and making the effort to attend their fixtures. As recently as two weeks ago, he was at KCB Sports Club offering our women’s team encouragement as they played at the second round of KRU Women’s Festivals.”

The Kenya Rugby Union was equally shocked by the demise of the St Mary’s Yala alumnus.

"The Kenya Rugby Fraternity is saddened by the untimely demise of one of our very own Sidindi Akoth. An Impala Saracens player who passed away this morning."

"We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. #RIPJadha,” posted KRU on its social media pages.