The former rugby player and Kenya Sevens head coach Benjamin Ayimba is no more.
Confirming his death, the family said the Rugby legend succumbed to various complications on Friday evening, May 21 at Kenyatta National Hospital while undergoing treatment. This brings to an end his brave battle with illness for the last three months.
“Benjamin succumbed to multiple complications he was being treated for over the past couple of months. The family and close friends would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the prayers and the overwhelming moral and financial support you all have offered during Benjamin’s last days,” Oscar Osir, the family’s spokesman said.
The family thanked members of the public for the overwhelming support during the rugby player’s sickness.
Last month, his family came out to seek help over his burgeoning medical expenses and the public responded in kind, with President Uhuru Kenyatta leading the cue by channeling Sh1 million towards his medical kitty.
ODM leader Raila Odinga and Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja were among the leaders who visited ailing Rugby legend at a Nairobi hospital.
In a separate statement by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) announcing his passing on.
“A warrior rests. We join the Ayimba family and the entire rugby and sporting fraternity in mourning legendary backrow and former Kenya Sevens Head Coach Ben Ayimba who passed away on Friday 21, May 2021,” KRU said in a statement.
ODM Party leader Hon Raila Odinga through his tweeter account said Kenya has lost a great patriot who he led Kenya to first World Sevens Series title when they beat Fiji at the Singapore Sevens in 2016.