Elgeyo Marakwet: Renowned Athlete Collapses, Dies In Hotel After Meal

• Twenty-eight-year-old Willy Chelewa, who recently participated in the Nairobi City Marathon, has passed away
• County police commander Peter Mulinge said he died after taking black tea and rice at a hotel in Kaptagat where he usually trains
• The police collected the samples of the food he took before collapsing as investigations into the cause of his death continue

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Elgeyo Marakwet - The athletics fraternity is in mourning following the sudden death of a 28-year-old upcoming athlete in a hotel.

Willy Chelewa, who recently competed in the Nairobi City Marathon and finished in 67th place with a time of 65 minutes and 30 seconds, collapsed and passed away at the hotel where he was staying while training in the Kapatagat area.

What caused Willy Chelewa's sudden death?

County police commander Peter Mulinge confirmed the incident, noting that Chelewa had consumed rice and black coffee prior to his collapse.

The hotel management reported his death, and authorities have since collected samples of the food he ingested for analysis.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is underway, and the cause of his death is yet to be established.

Meanwhile, Chelewa had secured sponsorship from a Chinese company for international races.

His death is part of a troubling trend involving athletes who have died under various circumstances, including accidents and relationship issues.

Netizens react to Willy Chelewa's death

Kenyans took to social media to share their messages of condolences to the athlete's family and friends. Others expressed concerns over the increasing deaths of the runners in the country.

Hillary Lary:

"Who is killing our champions."

Isaac Sungul:

"What's up surely, road accidents, others burnt, killed now poison."

Koech Leonard Cheuno:

"What wrong with champion s."

Arab Kosgey:

"There must be a game plañn,...anyway pole sana."

Maurine Mayieka:

"Was it poison or heart attack? We can't tell until further investigation are done.."

Cornelious Kipkoech:

"Thorough investigation should be done."

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei dies

In other news, on September 5, Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei died in Kenya after allegedly being assaulted by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.

Reports indicate that following a heated argument, Ndiema poured petrol on her and set her ablaze, resulting in injuries that covered 80% of her body.

Cheptegei, who had competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics, was returning from church when the tragic incident occurred.

She was given full military honours during her send-off at the Bukwo district in Eastern Uganda.

In a turn of events, Ndiema also passed away while receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke