Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) president Waithaka Kioni dies after a suspected cardiac arrest and he succumbed around 1 am this morning.
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According to a statement from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), Koni, 70, was reportedly taken ill yesterday and rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed.
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“NOC-K is devastated by the loss of its Executive Member and an ardent volleyball sports leader over the years.
We wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his immediate and extended family, friends and volleyball fraternity in Kenya and Africa for this loss.
We are currently consulting with his family and the Volleyball Federation leadership and will share more details later.”
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba led the sporting team in paying tribute to the long-serving administrator, who was also the NOC-K second vice president.
“Kioni has been a towering enthusiast and leader in the world of sports, particularly in volleyball,” said the CS.
Kenya Volleyball Federation Deputy Chairman Charles Nyaberi called off all volleyball activities in honour of Kioni.
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“While we wait for the family to make further communication, what we have been told is that the late Kioni had gone for his normal gym session at a Sportview Hotel in Nairobi on Saturday, but he collapsed.
He was then rushed to St Francis Hospital but efforts to get an ambulance that had oxygen hit a snag and it’s unfortunate Kioni succumbed,” said Nyaberi at the Moi International Sports Centre Karasani indoor arena.
“This is a big loss to the volleyball fraternity and by extension to the other sports. The Paul Bitok International Volleyball Tournament that had reached the semi-final stage has been called off and any other sports-related activities until further notice,” he added.
Kioni was a Public Administration graduate at the University of Nairobi before joining the Standard Group from 1978 to 1979.
However, he left for Kenya Pipeline Company in 1980 where he served in the Public Relations office.
Kioni was the pioneer behind the formation of the Kenya Pipeline volleyball club in 1984 and was elected Kenya Volleyball Association national chairman in 1998 before it changed its name to Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) in 2000.
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Kioni was serving his last term ahead of the national elections scheduled for April 29.
