KENYAN Athletes who have died at their Peak
1. Samuel Wanjiru – May 2011
Top of the list is Samuel Wanjiru, the 2008 Olympic champion in the men marathon. Died at 24 years . Found dead after falling from a Balcony.
2. Agnes Tirop – October 2021
At 21 years at the time, she became the youngest Olympic Marathon champion.Found dead at her home.
3. Nicholas Bett – August 2018
In 2018, Kenya lost former 400m world hurdles champion Nicholas Bett who died aged 28 following a car crash in Nandi County.
4. Hosea Macharinyang’ -October 2021
Macharinyang who represented the country in five world cross-country championships also died in this month died at 35 years. Found dead at home.
5. Gilbert Kwemoi – August 2021
This is another athlete who died in 2021. Kwemoi passed on in August after a short illness. He was 29.
6. David Lelei – Feb 2010
The former middle-distance runner died on the spot after his vehicle collided with a trailer along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway 11 years ago.
7. Jefferson Siekei-February 2009
Siekei was killed in a morning road accident in Nyamira county 12 years ago. The athlete died after the motorcycle he was riding on, alongside his training partner, collided head-on with a truck. He was 25
8.Francis Kiplagat – February 2018
Long distance athlete Kiplagat died in a car accident in Kikopey along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
9.Richard Chelimo – August 2001
He is a former 10,000m world record holder who died of a brain tumour at the age 29
10.Ian Mutuku – October 2016
Then at the age of 19, Kenya national youth champion Ian Mutuku’s death was mysterious.
11.Edward Kiplagat – December 2023
He was found dead in Eldoret. He was a 3000M specialist athlete.
12. Kelvin Kiptum -February 2024
Marathon world Record holder dies on road accident at age of 24 .