Uhuru gives legendary footballer Joe Kadenge State House appointment to discuss his health matters

Family Spokesman Sammy Sholei (left) and PS Ministry of Culture Joe Okudo when they visited Former Kenya International Football Player Joe Kadenge (centre) at his residence at Mariakani Gardens, Nairobi, on Thursday, Jan 5, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta has agreed to meet former Kenya international Joe Kadenge who has been unwell of late.

The meeting between Uhuru and Kadenge has been slated between Sunday and Monday at State House in Nairobi. Among the issues the President is expected to discuss with the ailing legendary footballer will boarder on his health, insurance and how to set up an initiative to improve the health standards of former heroes and heroines in this country.

Ministry of Sports, Health and Culture Permanent Secretary Joe Okudo who paid Kadenge a visit at his Mariakani estate house in Nairobi today afternoon revealed these.

“The President has sent me to come and gauge how Kadenge is fairing health wise after leaving the hospital,” explained Okudo. “He instructed me to deliver his message to the family that he would want to meet with Kadenge in the next two to three days in person at State House,” added Okudo, while accompanied by Ministry of Sports, Art and Culture Director of Administration Weslus Ong’ayo.

Okudo hinted out that the Ministry is in the fore front to allocate a budgetary plan in the next financial year to set up a long term hero and heroines initiative expected to benefit the likes of Kadenge and others who did the country proud in their hey days.

While thanking Uhuru for granting him an appointment, Kadenge, 82,said his health is improving by the day after being discharged from the hospital a few days ago.

“Though I am still not feeling well, I can personally feel great improvement on my body,” Kadenge said.

Kadenge was rushed to Meridien Hospital in South B by his fellow legendary footballers George Sunguti and Reginald Asibwa after he was overcome by diabetes and high blood pressure on Boxing Day.

Kadenge added with a lot of humour that he would make it to over 100 years with a better and comprehensive insurance cover.

“Right now I have over Sh2million hospital bill to settle and this is another source of stress. My eyes too needs an operation so I can see clearly,” he said.

At the same time, Kadenge is urging the City Council to help him secure the house he is currently staying in at Mariakani estate since 1963.

“We hear that this estate and others within the vicinity have been sold to private developers and now we are being urged to vacate the houses.

Where do I go now? I have known this place as home since independence,” lamented Kadenge. Family spokesperson Sammy Sholei who has been spearheading Kadenge’s health restoration has greatly appreciated goodwill from Kenyans around the country during Kadenge’s sickness.

“We have received overwhelming messages from ordinary Kenyans to top leaders in this nation. Our aim is to get Kadenge an insurance health cover. We will also have a fund drive on Friday at the Kenya Railways Club to help us offset the Sh2million hospital bill,” Sholei said.