“My children, as you can see, I don't have the energy to talk. Just take my pictures and show the country where the athlete who brought honour to Kenya is lying,” legendary athlete Hezekiah Nyamau, who is unwell, told journalists when they visited him in hospital in Kisii town on Monday.
Nyamau was part of the Kenyan 4x400 metres relay team that won a gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics, alongside Charles Asati and the late Julius Sang and Robert Ouko.
He has been at Kisii Specialist Hospital for the past three weeks, battling what his family says is gall bladder cancer.
Former Olympics gold medallist Robert Ouko pictured with Naftali Bon, Thomas Saisi and Hezekiah Nyamau. Four of the world's greatest two-lap runners of Kenya’s gold medal-winning 4x400 metres relay team at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Photo credit: File | Nation
He is under the care of his two grandchildren, and his children often come to visit him.
“He was diagnosed with cancer in February this year. Since then, we have been in and out of the hospital," says Pamela, Nyamau’s second-born child, at his father’s bedside.
“We have exhausted all the family resources. The disease has taken a great toll on him. He has started to struggle with speech. We appeal to the government and well-wishers for support wherever possible.”
Nyamau’s grandson, Preston Ondieki, echoed his aunt’s words, expressing hope that his grandfather will recover soon and resume a normal life.
“Grandpa has been our mentor. We wish him well, and we would like to see him out of hospital sooner rather than later,” said Mr Ondiecki.
Nyamau was born and raised in Nyaguta village in the Nyaribari Chache constituency of Kisii County. Apart from winning the gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, he also won a silver medal in the same event at the 1988 Olympics in Mexico.
Due to his prowess in athletics, Nyamau joined the Kenyan military in 1963, retiring in 1997. Despite being one of the most adored Kenyan track and field athletes, his family says that life has never been the same since he left the military. In an interview with NTV a year ago, Nyamau said that he was struggling to make ends meet.
The legendary athlete lamented that, despite providing them with an education, many of them were still unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, which he said was further complicating his own well-being.
Nyamau also criticised the government, accusing it of doing little to support ageing athletes who had brought Kenya glory on the international stage.
"The government seems to have neglected us, despite us having brought honour to the country in the past. If you visit the homes of many athletes who achieved success in athletics during our time, you will understand their situation. We need to be recognised for representing Kenya well on the international stage. Our welfare ought to be improved,” he lamented.
