Legendary athlete Nyantika Mayioro passed on on Sunday evening at Christiamariane hospital in Kisii County.
The athlete, aged 88, succumbed after a long struggle with tuberculosis.
Nyanza South Region chairman Peter Angweny confirmed the Olympian’s death stating, ““It is true that we have lost the legend as according to his son pastor Kenneth Nyantika, the deceased passed on at around 8:51p.m in the evening.”
His death comes days after Interior CS Fred Matiang’i promised to pay his medical bills, since he could not afford the required medical help.
At the time, doctors at the hospital had scheduled major tests on Thursday last week but later postponed the scans as the family could not raise the required Ksh80,000.
The CS, then through an intermediary promised to settle all medical expenses incurred for his tests and medication, however his help might have come a little too late.
According to Angweny, the veteran’s death is a big blow to the country as he “served the country very well.”
He first represented Kenya at the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia where he finished seventh in 5,000m.
He then later, competed at the Olympic Games held in Rome, Italy where he settled for the sixth spot, in 1960.
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He also took part in Commonwealth Games in 1954 and 1958 consecutively.
He retired from athletics in 1964 where he also served in management first a Sports Officer in Nyamira County and later as a manager of Gusii stadium.
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