The resurfacing of the images of Conjestina has sparked huge controversies on social media as Kenyans are greatly concerned with the current condition the female boxer who was once one of the best fighters in the industry.Conjestina Achieng was born in Yala Town and rose to stardom after beating competitors on the global stage of boxing.
Conjestina Achieng during a past training session. Source: Courtesy
Giving Kenya pride on the global stage, Achieng brought home 17 victories and titles, a time when the late president Mwai Kibaki empowered and strengthened the sports sector.Fans are in sorrow upon sight of the current condition of Conjestina Achieng, a fallen heroine with questions aimed at the sports ministry as to why she has been neglected and left to fend for herself.A boxing career that commenced in 2000, with a promising future as she incessantly grew her skill and garnered titles spreading the Kenyan anthem in the global stage.In 2011, the star ended her career, just how soon could this stardom of proficiency end, and what would be the benefits to the star and her family?The Kenyan Female Boxing star has had 27 professional fights among which she won 17 of the fights, drawing 4 fights and a mere 6 losses.Our star would in 2012, be diagnosed with paranoid Schizophrenia, a beginning of her hardships inherited from the sport she was involved in.The diagnosis saw the former female boxing star admitted to Mathare Teaching and Referral Hospital in September 2012, and that’s when the nation went silent on her, instead of following up and support to assist her to cope with the situation.Her silence and disappearance, however, would come to an end when in March 2019, the first public appearance of the star was at Nairobi Fight Night at KICC, just seven years since her diagnosis of being ill.From the look of things, Achieng seemed evident to be facing so much in her life due to the deterioration of her health.Yet nobody from the sports ministry inquired or sought to understand and assist the heroine slowly fading away from the public’s sight. It was not until July 2020, that Carol Radull made public the former boxer’s health as far deteriorated.Achieng’ would again hit headlines when she burnt her house out of frustration and the inability to fend for the family as well as cater to her own health. Earlier this year Conjestina’s son Charlton came out to declare that his mum was ill.Citizens are hard hit by the fact that Achieng’ is currently a beggar in Yala Town, despite the titles she achieved for the nation.It begs the question as to what the government has done or is doing for retired athletes who are the pride of the nation.Where is the problem? Is it management, the ministry, or herself?Kenyans await answers.
