Deaths of Kipyegon Bett, Clement Kemboi a Stark Reminder of Athletes’ Welfare Concerns

 

Former World U20 champion Kipyegon Bett died on October 6, 2024. Photo by Richard Heathcote. 

It is almost as if every bit of news that has come out of Kenya's athletics scene in the last five days has been heart-wrenching. It started with the brutal assault on Samson Kandie in Eldoret on October 4. The former marathoner succumbed to his injuries after he was attacked by armed thugs. Two days later, the country learnt of the death of Kipyegon Bett in Bomet. The former World U20 champion and World Bronze medalist died after a battle with illness. And barely 24 hours later, the body of 2015 Africa Games champion Clement Kemboi was found hanging from a tree in Iten in what is suspected he took his own life. 

While the nature of each of the three deaths has been different, the question for every athletics enthusiast has been, "What is going on?" Athletes' welfare in Kenya Athletes' welfare remains a very emotive subject amongst current and former stars. Many are times news headlines have been replete with stories of how a star of yesteryears cannot make ends meet after they retired. Julius Yego: No plans in place in case of injury 2015 Javelin World Champion Julius Yego tells TUKO.co.ke how athletes' welfare is almost non-existent in the country. "There have been proposals for a retirement fund, but we are yet to see something concrete."The Rio 2016 silver medallist is also pained by how athletes are often left to fend for themselves in cases of injury while representing the country. 

"We do not have a working framework in case of injuries to our athletes. It is a grave concern that no one cares about an athlete if he gets injured on national duty. We are alone. I think this is an initiative that needs to come from the government through our federation." Barnaba Korir, head of the Athletics Kenya Nairobi chapter and chairman of Youth Development, acknowledges that athletes' welfare is a serious issue, and that the government is taking the necessary measures. "We have an insurance scheme which was launched last year by the government. We are in the process of registering athletes to see how they can benefit, especially on the medical side." What happens after an athlete gets banned?  

Before his death, Bett is said to have led a troubled life after he was banned for breaching anti-doping rules. By his family's admission, Bett fell into depression and turned to drinking. "I think one of the main areas that has been neglected in our athletes' space is what happens to athletes who have been banned," Stephen Rutto, a journalist, tells TUKO.co.ke. "Is there anyone giving them psychosocial support? We just condemn these athletes and do away with them. There has to be a comprehensive way in which we can get to the bottom of the problem and prepare them for life after the ban." 

by  Martin Moses