Quins to hold memorial for departed players
Kenya Sevens player Allan Makaka (second left) at the Western Union Driftwood Sevens rugby tournament at Mombasa Sports Club.
What you need to know:
- Kenya Simbas and KCB fullback Tony Onyango collapsed and died at his home in Nairobi. It is reported that he suffered cardiac arrest. He was 28.
- Three years ago, Kenyan rugby player Mike Okombe died after being stabbed at his home in Nakuru County.
- The Topfry Nakuru RFC player, 27, was killed while attending a friend’s birthday party on Saturday night.
Kenya Harlequin plan to hold a memorial service for departed players Ian Waraba and Allan Makaka when restrictions on social gatherings owing to the coronavirus pandemic are eased.
Youngster Waraba will be laid to rest at his family home in Kibagenge village, Waitaluk, Trans Nzoia County on Thursday. The flanker, 22, passed away on August 8 after drowning in a dam in Kitale.
A fundraiser was scheduled to be held Tuesday in Kitale to help offset burial costs. The procession will start on Wednesday from Kiminini to Kibagenge Village.
In light of the government directive to ban social gatherings due to Covid-19, Harlequin said only club members from Western Kenya, who are able to visit the family will, are encouraged to do so. Kenya Harlequin will send three representatives from Nairobi to the funeral.
“When restrictions are eased and gatherings are allowed, Kenya Harlequin will then plan to have a memorial service for our fallen brothers (Ian Waraba and Allan Makaka),” said a statement from the club.
“We will continue to collect funds on behalf of Brian Waraba, (Ian’s brother) and the family, and we shall remit the funds to the family,” the club said.
Brian also turns out for Harlequin. Former Kenyan international winger Makaka perished in a grisly road accident on Mombasa Road in Nairobi on May 22.
The former Royal Media Services employee was buried on May 29 at his Mukhonje village home, Shinyalu Constituency, Kakamega County.
Waraba’s demise adds to the growing list of rugby players who have died in their prime.
In March this year, the rugby fraternity woke up to the sad news of one of their own passing on.
Kenya Simbas and KCB fullback Tony Onyango collapsed and died at his home in Nairobi. It is reported that he suffered cardiac arrest. He was 28.
Three years ago, Kenyan rugby player Mike Okombe died after being stabbed at his home in Nakuru County.
The Topfry Nakuru RFC player, 27, was killed while attending a friend’s birthday party on Saturday night.
Rongai OCPD Japhet Kioko said: “Okombe and his lover, MaryAnne Mumbi, were attending a birthday party of their friend, a Mr Okoth. The two had an argument before Mumbi went for a knife, which she used to stab Okombe to death.
In 2016, Mwamba scrumhalf Victor Wayodi collapsed during a Kenya Cup match against Nakuru at Impala Club. The player is said to have suffered a heart attack and died in hospital. And on May 18, 2010, Impala’s international back Joshua Gathumbi collapsed and died.
