3,000 metres champion Ezekiel Kemboi enjoys Ann Njeri’s ungrudging support

Ms Njeri says their differences with Ezekiel Kemboi are bygones. [Photo: File/Standard]

By PETER OCHIENG’

KENYA: “We are very happy. He and the rest have made us proud as a country.”

This was the praise for one man who has ruled the men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase for three consecutive years, bagging one gold after another.

Athletics fans who turned up in Eldoret town Thursday evening to watch and cheer the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase finals at the on-going World Championship in Moscow didn’t mince their words over the men and women doing Kenya proud.

Friends and foe of the stars waited with baited breath as the Kenyan quartet of Ezekiel Kemboi, Conseslus Kipruto, Abel Mutai and Paul Kipsiele Koech paraded for the water and barrier event at Luznikhi Stadium.

Curiously, among the fans was Ann Njeri Otieno, yes, the woman who was involved in an outing gone awful with the king of the steeplechase, Ezekiel Kemboi.

Ms Njeri caught the attention of the TV-glued spectators who had jammed a local club to follow the Kenyan men and women on track as they won one medal after another, when she got to her feet and showered praises on Kemboi’s achievement, miles away from Eldoret town.

This is the young woman who, last year, ahead of the London Olympics, shot into the national limelight after she allegedly accused the steeplechase star of stabbing her after an evening of carousal at an entertainment joint in Eldoret town.

The Standard crew spotted her on the floor of a famous joint where the star normally frequents for his refreshment, doing the Kemboi jig that the steeplechase great does after winning his races.

Bygones are bygones

Asked if she would accept an interview concerning Kemboi’s achievement by defending his title during the championship, she responded positively answering. “I am ready even now”.

Question: How do you feel about the race?

A. I am very happy as one of his fans and a Kenyan. It is really not normal the way it used to be. You know some years back when it came to the 3,000 metres men’s steeplechase, everyone would say it was for Kemboi, but this time round, things were different because Consenslus Kipruto was becoming a headache to him and also to his fans.

Q. Will you be going to Nairobi to receive him?

 A.  I will not go to Nairobi but will welcome him in Eldoret.

Ms Njeri said their differences are bygones, noting that even wives and husbands normally differ on issues but that does not mean the two are enemies.

“I was so hurt during those days but we sat down and reconciled. Today, I have come here to cheer him on just like anybody else. All athletes participating in this important event are Kenyans and we must give them support so that they feel at home wherever they are,” she said.

The friend who turned foe, and now ardent supporter of the athlete, urges Kemboi not to abandon the steeplechase race saying it is better to have a bird in hand than two in the bush. She was reacting to the reports that Kemboi would one day change from the steeplechase to marathon.

Ms Njeri also appealed to Kemboi and Kipruto to reconcile if they have differences and work together as Kenyans, especially when they are in participating in international races.

The woman took Kemboi to court following the alleged incident but the case was later settled out of court.