KISII, KENYA – Hezekiah Munyoro Nyamau, a towering figure in Kenyan athletics and a key member of the historic 1972 Munich Olympics gold medal-winning 4x400 metres relay team, will be laid to rest on Friday, October 31, 2025, at his home in Nyaguta village, Kisii County. The burial follows a period of uncertainty for the family, who faced challenges in clearing a substantial hospital bill after his passing.

Nyamau died on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the age of 88 in a Nakuru County hospital where he was receiving specialised treatment for gallbladder cancer. His family had been appealing for financial assistance to cover medical expenses amounting to over Sh700,000, which led to a deferment of the funeral plans. A fundraiser held on Mashujaa Day, Monday, October 20, 2025, reportedly raised only a small fraction of the required amount, underscoring the financial hardships the celebrated hero faced in his final years.

The situation sparked a national conversation about the welfare of Kenya's veteran athletes who brought immense glory to the nation. Charles Asati, Nyamau's teammate and the only surviving member of the famed 1972 quartet, had made public appeals for support for his ailing friend even before his death. Following his passing, Asati urged Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to honour a man he described as a household name in Kenyan athletics.

A Golden Legacy on the Track

Hezekiah Nyamau was a pivotal member of a generation of athletes who established Kenya as a global sprinting powerhouse, challenging the notion that the country's prowess was limited to long-distance running. His career was decorated with numerous accolades, cementing his status as a national hero.

The pinnacle of his career came at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Nyamau, alongside Asati, the late Robert Ouko, and the late Julius Sang, won a historic gold medal in the 4x400m relay, finishing with a time of 2:59.83. This victory was particularly memorable for the team's remarkable comeback after dropping the baton. This remains a celebrated moment in Kenya's sporting history.

Nyamau's Olympic journey began four years earlier at the 1968 Mexico City Games, where he, along with Asati, Daniel Rudisha, and Naftali Bon, secured a silver medal in the same event. His success continued at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, where he won another 4x400m relay gold. That same year, Nyamau was part of the Kenyan 4x880 yards relay team that set a new world record.

A Life of Service

Beyond his athletic achievements, Nyamau served his country with distinction in the military. He joined the Kenya Army in 1963, a career he maintained until his retirement in 1997. This dedication to national service was a hallmark of his character, according to statements from Athletics Kenya.

In a statement released on October 12, 2025, Athletics Kenya mourned Nyamau, describing him as a trailblazer whose “courage, discipline and devotion to country and sports will forever remain an inspiration.” The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) also paid tribute, hailing him as a true pioneer of the nation's athletic excellence.

Nyamau is survived by his widow, Ruth Moreka, and several children and grandchildren. His remains are expected to arrive in Kisii on Thursday for an overnight vigil before the final burial service on Friday. The funeral is expected to be attended by politicians, sports personalities, and Kenyans from all walks of life, coming together to pay their last respects to a fallen icon.