This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
Published on July 29, 2019, by Bitange Ndemo, an associate professor at the University of Nairobi's School of Business.
Joe Kadenge's life and death serve as a poignant reminder of Kenya's cultural paradox. While we celebrate our sports heroes in death, we often neglect them in life.
As reported in October 2016, Kadenge collapsed while watching a football match and was rushed to the hospital. His situation was attributed to hunger, sparking public sympathy and calls for better care for the legendary footballer.
However, Kadenge later denied the hunger claim, but the public's concern for his well-being remained. In February 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta's intervention ensured that Kadenge's medical bills were covered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund, saving him from financial distress.
Despite his contributions to Kenyan football, Kadenge's life was marked by struggles, including a lack of support from the government and the football community. His funeral, however, was a grand affair, with high-profile attendees and a chopper ride for his lifeless body.
As Bitange Ndemo notes, 'We love people more in death than in life.' This cultural phenomenon is reflected in the high costs of funeral arrangements, which can be as high as Sh2.5 million. A 2018 study by IPSOS for the Association of Kenyan Insurers (AKI) found that most families struggle to afford funeral expenses.
Given the challenges faced by families, Ndemo suggests that the government consider providing lifetime insurance for citizens who have made significant contributions to the country. This would ensure that legends like Kadenge feel loved and appreciated in life, rather than just in death.
