On Friday, outside his home in Eldoret, Kenya, former marathoner Samson Kandie was mugged, beaten and left for dead. The celebrated athlete was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he later died of his injuries.
Samson Kandie 1971-2024
Der VCM-Sieger von 2004 und damalige Streckenrekordhalter mit 2:08:35 wurde in Kenia getötet. 😢
Das VCM-Team hält Samson Kandie in bester Erinnerung. Ruhe in Frieden!https://t.co/2f350QW8tG pic.twitter.com/v6eFObiB7f— Vienna City Marathon (@Vienna_Marathon) October 6, 2024
The 53-year-old reportedly called his family on his way home from work, but never arrived. “I went outside and found him,” Vienna Kandie, Samson’s daughter, told media. “His legs and arms were injured, and he had been beaten badly. He was in a terrible state, so we rushed him to the hospital.” Local police commander Benjamin Mwanthi explained that the assailants appeared to be waiting for Samson at his home, and fled the scene with the runner’s phone after attacking him. Police are currently looking for suspects.
The accomplished marathoner ran his personal best of 2:08:31 in 1999 to win his second consecutive bronze medal at the Berlin Marathon. His other notable performances include victories at the 2002 Sapporo Marathon and the 2004 Vienna Marathon. Samson also represented Kenya at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton.
The attack marks the third tragic death for Kenyan distance runners in one week. On Monday, former African Games champion Clement Kemboi was found dead; his body was discovered hanging from a tree in Koisungur Village in Iten, Kenya. The 32-year-old achieved his personal best of 8:10.65 in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2016 Doha Diamond League. Media reports did not speculate whether he was the victim of a crime.
Kenya’s athletics community also mourns the loss of 2016 U20 800m world champion Kipyegon Bett. On Sunday, the 26-year-old passed away while receiving treatment for a liver condition in Bomet County, Kenya.
