Former world boxing champion Conjestina Achieng admitted at Avenue Health Care Hospital Kisumu

Former world boxing super middleweight champion Conjestina Achieng at a past event. [ PHOTO: STANDARD/ FILE]

By RUSHDIE OUDIA

Former world boxing super middleweight champion Conjestina Achieng is now admitted at Avenue Health Care Hospital in Kisumu County.

Achieng commonly known as ‘Conje’ was admitted on Saturday morning after well wishers volunteered to foot medical bills for her to get treatment at the health facility.

The well wishers comprised Anglican Church of Kenya and ‘I am Everlasting Ministry’ Churches from Bondo, who were moved by the boxer’s plight.

Conje’s father, Clement Adala could not hide his joy when his daughter was admitted at the hospital, hoping that ‘Conje’ will finally be healed and afterwards continue with her normal life.

I am Everlasting Ministry’s Reverend Elizabeth Ochieng came to the aid of the boxer having read Conje’s story that featured in the Standard’s sister paper the Nairobian and decided to take her to the hospital.

Mr Adala said Reverend Ochieng once booked a flight for the renowned boxer to come visit her in Kisumu and therefore she felt bad seeing her(Conje) in this current state.

“She is a wonderful woman and I hope many people will come in to help Conje out of this,” said Mr Adala at Avenue Hospital as he awaited his daughter’s admission to the wards.

Reverend Ochieng has been Conje's friend since 2009 but lost contact after she became sick.

Achieng has for long been suffering from Schizo-affective disorder/paranoid schizophrenia which is a mental disorder condition that has forced her to drop the boxing gloves.

Conje, 35, is also a two-time World Boxing Council middleweight title winning the World Boxing Federation, Global Boxing Union and World Boxing International Federation titles.

For close to two months now, Kenya’s top female pugilist has been staying with her parents at their Umiru village, Nyamninia sub-location in Siaya County.

She left Nairobi after apparently failing to take care of herself and because her condition was becoming worse. Conje together with her only have been staying at home surviving on the little her parents can get.

Rev Ochieng said that a fund should be organised for the boxer so that people contribute to help her.

“There should be a fund and an account created for Conje so that she gets enough to sustain her,” said Rev Ochieng.

Mr Adala said admission of her daughter at Avenue and not being returned to Mathari will make her feel appreciated instead of being amongst those with mental disorders.