Maiyoro’s troubles and death raise concerns about the country’s commitment to heroes

The late Nyantika Maiyoro in a hospital bed [Courtesy]

Kenya track and field legend Nyantika Maiyoro died on Sunday night, February 24. He had been admitted at the Christamarianne Hospital in Kisii County and was diagnosed with Tuberculosis.

The 88-year-old was popular for being the first top long-distance runner who represented Kenya in her first major international athletics championships at the 1954 British Commonwealth Games held in Vancouver, Canada.

Last week, Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i alongside the country’s Olympic Committee (NOCK) pledged to provide financial support to the fallen legend after he had struggled with paying his hospital bills. The troubles and death of one of our heroes have raised a red flag on the manner in which retired sportsmen and women are being handled.

Game Yetu now looks at examples of other heroes who disappeared from the radar upon retirement or after they were hit by a career setback.

Conjestina Achieng’

Conjestina Achieng doing well in rehab [Courtesy]

‘Conje’ or ‘hands of stone’ as she was known, was famous for her heroics in the ring where she took out her opponents one by one and won title after title. But after her health deteriorated, she was forced to retire to her rural home in Siaya.

Were it not for the intervention on Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in November last year, Conje would still be in Siaya, unnoticed and unattended to.

Joe Kadenge

Football legend Joe Kadenge was Visited by former FKF boss Sam Nyamweya while in hospital [Courtesy]

He is known for the famous phrase “Kadenge na mpira”. The legendary footballer is considered by many as one of the best footballing talents Kenya has ever produced since independence. He reigned during his peak days starting with Maragoli United FC where he managed the fastest ever goal in the Kenya Premier League.

He also graced the turf in an Abaluhya FC’s (now AFC Leopards) shirt winning the KPL title in 1966 and made it to the Harambee Stars squad.

But after retirement, the former star had to work as a taxi driver to make ends meet whilst battling different ailments.

These two are just a tip of the iceberg. There are many retired sportsmen and women that wish they received even a little recognition from the government and Kenyans alike.

Countries around the globe do their best to honor their retired sporting heroes. With world icons like Diego Maradona and Pele highly recognised by their respective countries.

 

Where it is all going wrong in Kenya

Everything is ‘normal’

The problem here in Kenya is that the government and its citizens tend to look at everything as ‘normal’.  In Europe, when retired sportsmen and women step into the public eye, they are recognised and given the respect they deserve. In Kenya, it is quite the opposite.

We tend to forget so fast and move on to other things once our heroes disappear from the limelight. For example, when world 800m record-holder David Rudisha made an appearance on the local show ‘Churchill’, the audience looked gloomy and the host Dan Ndambuki aka Churchill had to remind them who the athlete was in order to get, at least an applause.

The sportsmen and women’s failure to invest and plan for the future

Pointing a finger at the Government as the only source of this would be biased. Athletes themselves are partly to blame for their woes. Most of them earn a lot of money during their prime years but fail to plan for life after retirement.

Failure to sensitise sports people on how to handle fame and money

Many of these people fall off the radar because they exhaust the fortune accumulated during their prime years. This is because of lack of proper systems to guide them on the same.

If we are to avert more of our heroes living miserable lives, the government needs to lead the way as we follow. It should take charge and first instill the culture of recognising the heroes and design a plan to make their lives better after retirement.

Failure to do so will mean Kenya will always have a crop of good sportsmen and women who would later go broke once they retire.