Kenyans brave unrest at home, land in Mumbai

New Delhi/Mumbai, January 16 : While news filtered in about another protestor being killed in a police shoot-out in the ongoing post-election civil unrest in Kenya, the country’s world class long distance runners braved odds to bring normalcy to their lives.

Kenyan runners had been withdrawing from several meets across the world since violence erupted on the streets of Nairobi and gradually spread to the rest of the country at the end of last month. But this Sunday’s Mumbai marathon will see an international comeback of sorts for the famous endurance runners from the African nation. While last year’s Mumbai’s marathon winner John Kalai is already here, 24 others are expected to reach here in the coming days.

Ian Ladbrooke, who has been a long-time agent and coach of Kenya’s elite runners, has relief on his face as he says, “I spent most of the day today checking if all have got visas and other things are in place. I don’t envisage any problem.” The 48-year-old doffs his hat to runners who have put behind a virtual collapse of the system in their country and have kept their professional commitment. “Hats off to them, this is a testimony of their determination and professionalism. They are carrying on regardless of the situation at home. Obviously, they have to take care of their families and make sure they are ok,” says Ladbrooke.

“I am still in Eldoret and haven’t moved out as it is not safe. The situation is volatile as people on the streets could attack anyone, any time,” he writes. Wasiema’s plight is worse since his entire career’s winnings were lost in a heist. “I hope to get some cash and try to fly out soon. We are praying to God to save this land from evil,” he said.

Given the fact that Kalai has already landed in Mumbai and two other previous winners — Daniel Rono and Julius Sugut—are flying out of Kenya soon, it will give Wasiema the confidence to put his career back on track.