This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
Kenyan athletics legend Robert Gwaro Ouko, who won gold for Kenya at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, has died at the age of 70.
Ouko, who had been ailing for some time, passed away at 10pm on Sunday night at his home in Ngong.
His death leaves two surviving members of the famous quartet, Charles Asati and Hezekiah Nyamao, after the team's other member, Julius Sang, died on April 9, 2004.
According to reports, Ouko had been seeking medical assistance from the government for a long time without much success, raising concerns over the role of the National Heroes Council in the plight of many Kenyan legends.
"My brother and our legend Robert Ouko. I have struggled for you until the last minute until God decided to take you away," said Rose Tata Muya, a track legend, in a statement on Monday morning.
"The financial support which have been lying and waiting to signed at the Ministry (of Sport) for one month could have assisted you for medication," she added.
Ms Tata expressed shock at the news of Ouko's death, saying she had wanted him to meet the Sports Principal Secretary to release the cash but everything was beyond her control.
"I know you passed on with a lot of pain, struggling for assistance. We loved you but God loved you more. RIP our beloved Shuja," Tata said in the emotional statement.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Mr Asati, who said, "It's sad that we have been neglected and Robert died suffering. But we thank God each morning that we wake up because it is He who keeps us going," from his Kisii home.
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei and the association's Nyanza South branch chairman Peter Angwenyi also sent messages of condolences to Ouko's family.
Ouko won two gold medals at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, in the 800 meters and the 4x400 meters relay, and also served as secretary general of the Kenya Amateur Athletics Association, the forerunner of Athletics Kenya.
