Kenya's longest serving sports administrator Julius Mwangi dies at 75

The cycling community in Kenya and Africa is mourning the loss of Julius Mwangi, the long-serving Kenya Cycling Federation (KCF) president, who passed away on Monday at 4am at Nairobi Hospital.

KCF Secretary General Charles Mose confirmed the news, stating that Mwangi,75, who had been in and out of the hospital, was admitted on Boxing Day for a routine check-up and was expected to be discharged on Monday. However, his condition worsened, leading to his demise.

“We lost our president, who has served us diligently for many years, early this morning,” said Mose. He described Mwangi as a visionary leader who guided cycling to great heights in Kenya.

Mwangi, who has served as KCF chairman and later president since 1988, was also the deputy president of the Confederation of Africa Cycling (CAC).

“The country and the continent have lost a great leader, and we shall dearly miss his services,” Mose said. He noted that during Mwangi's tenure, Kenya produced remarkable cyclists, including three-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, who also won a bronze medal in road racing at the 2007 African Games, and David Kinjah.

Mwangi was a trailblazer for cycling in Kenya and was due to contest for the CAC presidency next year, as the current president, Mohammed Wagih Azzam, is nearing the end of his term, having served since 2005. Azzam plans to contest the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) presidency next year.

Funeral arrangements for Mwangi will be announced later. Mose extended condolences to the family and friends of the late Mwangi.