CAUSE OF DEATH: Kenyan boxing legend, Philip Waruinge, dies at age 77

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Kenyan boxing legend, Philip Waruinge, dies at age 77. 

Waruinge who retreated to coaching youngsters in the county upon returning from Japan has been ailing for a long time and has been in and out of the hospital several times.

Family sources confirmed the death of the former international boxer who is believed to have been among the best boxers in Kenya’s boxing history. 

His son Andrew Waruinge was in a somber mood this evening. Boxing Association of Kenya’s first Vice President Isaac Mbote also confirmed the new development. 

“As a federation, we condone with the family of the fallen legend boxer. He did Kenya proud from the sixties to the seventies. May his soul Rest In Eternal Peace,” said Mbote.

Waruinge, who is the first African boxer to win the coveted Val Barker trophy at the 1968 Olympics Games, died at his Lanet home in the outskirts of Nakuru City on the wee hours of Wednesday.

His wife, Mary Ndeti, said Waruinge, 77, was a” loving and caring husband.” “He was supposed to go for an X-ray Wednesday morning, but he passed on before we could take him to the hospital in the morning,” said Andrew.

“One of his hand was completely dead and last week we had taken him to hospital,” added Andrew.

His body has been moved to the PN mortuary.

Boxing Federation of Kenya First Vice-chairperson, Isaac Mbote said Waruinge, who started his boxing career in the late 1960s at the historic Madison Square Garden in Nakuru, had been sick.

“He has been in and out of the hospital but his conditioned worsened recently,” said Mbote.

Mbote said Waruinge was one of Kenya’s greatest boxers of all times.

“Waruinge was a legend. He was one of the finest boxers that Kenya has ever produced.”

Retired boxing referee Joseph “Don King” Mwangi Muthoga eulogised Waruinge as a role model. “Kenya has lost the best boxer in our boxing history. He was a superb boxer who was a shining star. He will be remembered by generations to come,” said Muthoga.

Philip Mainge, who started his boxing career together with Waruinge at Madison Square, said: “It is unfortunate Kenya has a lost a legend who died as a poor man despite the glory he brought to the country.”