The physique of a Kenyan athlete who died in Mexico whereas attempting to rescue a canine that had fallen right into a dam has lastly been returned to the nation for burial.
Josephat Kibet Ng’etich drowned on December 14, 2023 within the dam of a farm the place he was working.
His household in Taabet village, Bomet Central Constituency, Bomet County, had been unable to boost the Sh3 million wanted to repatriate the physique. However the authorities stepped in and organized for the repatriation.
It was each an thrilling and unhappy second for the household as they obtained the 37-year-old’s physique at Jomo Kenyatta Worldwide Airport in Nairobi on Friday night.
“Sadly, we’re receiving my son in a coffin but he left the nation wholesome with the hope that he would flip across the fortunes of the household. I’m grateful for the assist now we have obtained from all of the well-wishers,” stated Pauline Nowa, the athlete’s mom.
The athlete’s widow, Janet Ng’etich, stated the household was grateful for the assist of the Kenyan authorities and Mexican authorities in bringing Ng’etich’s physique house for a correct burial.
“We’ll ceaselessly be grateful to the Kenyan and Mexican authorities for the assist they’ve given us,” she stated.
Bomet Central MP Richard Kilel was amongst these on the airport to obtain the physique.
The physique has now been taken to the Longisa County Referral Hospital mortuary for preservation.
The deceased final communicated together with his household by means of a video name on November 17 and had expressed hope that he would quickly be capable to journey house to be together with his household.
Ng’etich had been away from house for the previous 17 years, with journey made troublesome by the lack of his journey paperwork in Mexico.
He retired from lively athletics after struggling a knee harm in 2006.
Ng’etich competed in varied highway races and the three,000m steeplechase.
Information obtainable from World Athletics present that the deceased took half in a number of races in South America.
The medals and trophies he received within the varied races take pleasure of place in the lounge of his semi-permanent house in Balek village, Bomet County.
Ng’etich received the Saltillo Coahuila Half Marathon in each 2005 and 2006. He additionally received the Monterrey Half Marathon in 2006 and completed second within the Zapopan, Benito Jaurez Half Marathon in Zapopan the identical 12 months.
In 2008, he received the Belo Horizonte 10km race. He has additionally participated in different necessary worldwide races.
John Kimetto, the Athletics Kenya (AK) Bomet department chairman, stated the sporting fraternity was grateful for the assist given to the deceased athlete and his household by the Kenyan and Mexican governments.