This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread globally, Athletics Kenya has been working to assist Kenyan athletes stranded abroad. According to AK president Jackson Tuwei, the organization has helped pay quarantine expenses and transport costs for five athletes who had arrived from India and Malaysia immediately international flights were suspended.
On March 25, the Kenyan government stopped all international flights after confirming more COVID-19 cases. By yesterday, the country had registered 581 cases, 190 recoveries, and 26 deaths. Globally, the cases had hit 3,756, 284 with 259,436 deaths recorded against 1,258, 394 recoveries.
Tuwei explained that besides not knowing the exact number of stranded athletes, some have no proper traveling documents. "While some have expired visas dating back to five years ago, there are also conditions that these countries put in place including mandatory testing before they leave to show that they are clean," he said in a telephone interview.
Five athletes had earlier cashed on the free flight offer to return; two from India and three from Malaysia. They are Abigael Cherop, Gladi Kiptoo, and Paul Eyanae from Malaysia and Daniel Kimeli and John Kipkorir from India. "They were all quarantined and we managed to pay for their bills. Luckily enough, they didn't have the disease. Most didn't even have transport back home and we assisted," said Tuwei.
Tuwei said that Kenya could be having over five athletes holed up in Far East, who need help. "There is one in Kathmandu, India where he went for a marathon race in 2016 but never returned. I spoke to another athlete in Malaysia but we are doing the best we can to ascertain the number and help out," said Tuwei.
