Kenya has lost one of its fabled athletics heroes. Hezekiah Munyoro Nyamau, Olympic gold medallist and trailblazer of Kenyan sprinting, passed away at 2am on Tuesday in Nakuru County at the age of 88.

Confirmed by his granddaughter, Felister Nyamau, his death came after a prolonged battle with cancer, during which he received treatment at a hospital in Nakuru.

Before his passing, Nyamau had in recent months appealed publicly for assistance, citing declining health and limited resources amid rising medical expenses.

Nyamau storied career on the track and beyond

Born December 5, 1942, Nyamau’s athletic legacy is anchored in Kenya’s early successes on the world stage. He won a silver medal as part of Kenya’s 4×400m relay team at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, and was also part of the golden 4×400m quartet in Munich 1972, joining Charles Asati, Robert Ouko and Julius Sang.

His success extended to the Commonwealth Games, where he claimed gold in the 4×400m in 1970. In addition to his athletic feats, Nyamau served honourably in the Kenya Defence Forces, enlisting in 1963 and retiring in 1997.

Nyamau’s final years were marred by illness and pleas for support. His deterioration in speech and increasing dependence on medical care highlighted the precarious state many former athletes face despite representing the nation with distinction.

Former colleagues, younger athletes, and sports fans have flooded social media and news platforms with tributes, mourning the passing of a pioneer who helped place Kenya on the global athletics map.

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