Shock gripped the quiet neighbourhood of Elgon View in Eldoret on Thursday night after the brutal death of former marathon champion Samson Kandie, who was killed by unknown assailants near his home in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
The 53-year-old athlete, celebrated for his victories in the 2002 Sapporo and 2004 Vienna marathons, was found severely beaten and tied up outside his home .
The incident has left many puzzled as to why Kandie, a retired and low-profile figure, would be targeted by thugs. His daughter, Vienna Kandie, recounted the harrowing events leading to the discovery of her father’s body. After her mother called him around 7:30 p.m., Kandie mentioned he was on his way home, yet never arrived.
Hours later, a strange voice on the other end of a phone call directed the family to look for him behind their home’s toilet. There, his body was found, bound, and brutally attacked.
Marathoner Samson Kandie in a past race.
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Courtesy
Kandie was immediately rushed to hospital, but succumbed to his injuries, leaving the nation in mourning. “We couldn’t understand why someone would do this to Dad,” Vienna narrated, struggling to hold back tears. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though local authorities have launched investigations and pledged to bring the attackers to justice.
The late Kandie, who rose to fame for his outstanding performances in marathon races across the world, including the 1999 Berlin Marathon where he set his personal best of 2:08:31, was a symbol of Kenya’s rich athletic history. Despite retiring from competitive athletics years ago, Kandie’s death has highlighted the vulnerability of athletes who have brought honour to the nation. Many now question why such icons do not receive better protection.
Ezekiel Kemboi, another well-known Kenyan athlete, expressed his anger and frustration at the lack of security for athletes, who have become easy targets for criminals. “We just buried another athlete recently, and now Kandie. Athletes bring pride to this country. If MPs get security, why can’t athletes have the same?” Kemboi demanded.
As athletes continue to be targeted, the community is now pushing the government for immediate action. The recent spate of attacks has many in the public speculating about possible connections between athletes’ success and criminal interest. Some believe that athletes, known for their international prize winnings, are seen as wealthy targets by criminals in a region that has been struggling with rising insecurity.
Eldoret, a town synonymous with Kenya’s athletics triumphs, now bears a grim reminder of the risks athletes face even after retirement. Many within the athletic community are demanding more than just condolences—they want concrete measures to safeguard their lives.
Investigations into the killing are ongoing, but questions persist about whether this was a targeted attack or a robbery gone wrong.
An image of an athletics track
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Soft Surfaces
