Kenyan families in the dark over fate of kin in Japan

Some Kenyan families in Nyandarua county are still in the dark about the fate of their kinsmen pursuing sports careers in Japan following a devastating earthquake that hit the orient nation.

They spent the weekend trying to establish the whereabouts of the sprouting athletes plying their trade in Japan. Many jammed cyber cafes in Nyahururu town to write emails to their relatives and friends in Japan. Few were lucky to find their kin online in social network sites like facebook.

Robert Kioni, who has been securing Japan trips for young athletes, said they have yet to receive any “bad news” so far.

World marathon Champion Samuel Wanjiru is a Japan based athlete from Nyahururu and rated highly as role model by emerging athletes in the region.

“The information I have is that no (Kenyan) athlete has been affected since many are in areas that were never affected," said Kioni.

Sendai City, which was closest to the earthquake's epicentre, is home to many of the Kenyan athletes.

An athlete based in Japan, but who is currently in Kenya, Paul Mutero said they had managed to get in touch with many of the Kenyans and all seems to be “okay”.

But Mutero confirmed that the athletes were traumatised by the high death toll caused by the quake and the resultant tsunami.

But even with the earthquake, some athletes are reported to be still keen in pursuing a sporting career in Japan.

Mr Kioni, an athletics coach in Nyahururu town, said he had escorted some of the runners to board planes back to Japan after being in Kenya for end of season holiday.

“In fact more are to leave and since the (Japanese) Embassy has not advised otherwise, all seems alright," Mr Kioni said.

The quake was the fifth strongest tremor worldwide since 1900 and seventh strongest in history. The strongest quake in history occurred in May 22, 1960 in Valdivia, Chile. It had a magnitude of 9.5.