Tears flow as renowned sports luminary is laid to rest

Renowned sports management personality from Kuresoi South in Nakuru county Mr. Kimutai Ngetich was laid to rest in his ancestral home in Kaptoboito village in Kericho County in an emotional send off on Tuesday 12 September.

Mr. Ngetich better known for his sports management conquests was a career secondary school teacher who last taught and was in charge of Tinet secondary school before his death on 30th August, 2017 through a tragic road accident at Mau Summit along Nakuru-Kericho highway.

He held positions in various sporting associations in Kenya and in the East Africa region the most notable being that of 2nd vice president of Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA), Chairperson of Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association, and Chairperson of Athletics Kenya Nakuru County as well as being the chairperson of Kuresoi sub county school heads association.

During the funeral Mr. Ngetich was hailed as a man who knew how to consolidate support and bring people together a trait that he is said to have used to secure various elective positions in local and regional associations, church and in community he lived in.

His colleague and 1st vice president at FEASSSA Mr. Justus Mugishu said Mr. Ngetich who like being called Kimutai was a man who loved sports beyond nationalities and was quick to make friends from all over the regions he served.

“Mr. Kimutai hated cheating in games and loved discipline and fairness.” Mr. Mugisha said as he delivered his condolence on behalf of FEASSSA.

He added that Mr. Ngetich oversaw a successful FEASSSA games event late August held in Gulu, Uganda that saw Kenya emerge overall champions amongst Five East African countries garnering 11 out of 23 gold medals up for grabs among other medals in the event that marked the last of Mr. Ngetich’s major sporting events before his death.

“We offer our heartfelt condolence on behalf of FEASSSA and people of Uganda who celebrated the success of this year’s event with joy and dance and Mr. Ngetich’s organization prowess being the 2nd Vice president in charge of technical at FEASSSA.” Mr. Mugisha stated.

Mr. Ngetich who was born on the 15th May 1962 in Kericho County taught six schools which included Getumbe secondary school, Keringet secondary school, Nakuru high school, Afraha secondary school, Chebaraa secondary school and Tinet secondary school in his teaching career.

He is credited for the success of over 100 athletes who include Kipkirui Misoi, World marathon Champion Geoffrey Kirui, Olympic Gold medalist Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon, Josphat Bett, Isaiah Kiplangat, Benjamin Kipkirui and Amos Kirui to name a few.

Kenyan dignitaries and leaders including Ministry of Education PS Prof. Kipsang Belio, Energy CS Charles Keter and Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot send their condolence to the family.

A close family friend of Ngetichs’ Mrs Eunice Siele of Bomet together with her husband said Mr. Ngetich was always a hopeful person and instilled hope in people even when things seemed unsurmountable.

“We were the best couple in their wedding and he was a close friend of our family and we knew him as a person who saw hope where there seemed to be none and managed to exude optimism in difficult times as well as being a generous giver and assisted other people without question.” She said.

Other people who knew Mr. Ngetich said he never liked holding grudges and would quarrel with someone over issues, bring them back to the fold and offer to go for a cup of tea at a hotel to break the ice for lasting friendships ahead.

“He would be strict on you in a moment and then square out an issue with you and eventually tells you why don’t we have a cup of tea and rest this matter?” Mr. Walter Maru of Keringet in Kuresoi reminced.

Mr. Ngetich was survived by a wife and six children.

Fair thee well Mr. Ngetich.