The athletics community in Kenya has been hit by another blow, after a runner collapsed on Monday and died immediately while at a hotel in Elgeyo Marakwet moments after sipping a cup of black tea.
The athlete identified as Willy Chelewa collapsed immediately days after securing a Chinese sponsorship for international races.
Reliable sources indicate the twenty-year-old athlete was using the hotel room as his base while he trained with his colleagues in the area, which has many training camps.
Immediately after the athlete’s death, the management notified authorities who arrived at the scene.
Willy Chelewa an athlete who collapsed and died on September 16, 2024.
Photo
Willy Chelewa
Area police commander Peter Mulinge confirmed the athlete died after taking black tea and rice at a hotel in Kaptagat.
The police have since launched investigations and camped at the hotel to establish the cause of the athlete’s death.
They further collected samples of the food he ate to unravel the cause of the promising athlete’s demise.
The athletics community and runner’s family have since been thrown into mourning amid calls for thorough investigations to be conducted.
Recently, Chelewa participated in the Nairobi City Marathon half-marathon where he finished at position 67.
His death comes barely a week after the death of Rebecca Cheptegei who was doused in gasoline by his fiancée over domestic issues.
The trend of athletes passing in mysterious situations is a worrying trend that raises questions on the safety of the athletes.
An image of a police vehicle spotted in Nairobi
Photo
kenyans.co.ke
