Leaders mourn fallen Kenyan athlete Nicholas Bett

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto led Kenyan lawmakers in mourning following the tragic death of Nicholas Bett.

Also Read: Nicholas Bett, former world 400m hurdles champion, dies

The former world 400metres hurdles champion was killed in a road accident in Nandi on Wednesday morning.

“Bett earned the country great honours in his outstanding victories.

“My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives and friends,” President Kenyatta said.

On his part, DP William Ruto said the death of 26-year-old Nicholas Bett is a big loss not only to Kenyans but the global athletics fraternity.

He described the athlete as an “affable, popular lad who was adored by his peers”.

“We have lost a hero and a sporting great. May his soul Rest In Peace,” DP Ruto said.

The Council of Governors also hailed Nicholas Bett as a world-class champion and one of Kenya’s best athletes.

A statement from Josphat Nanok, the Council Chairman, highlighted Bett’s achievements including the gold medal he won in the Beijing 2015 championships.

“On behalf of the Council of Governors and the County Governments, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family for their loss, to the sports community for losing one of the very best,” the statement from Nanok reads.

Energy CS Charles Keter also said Bett would be remembered for his biggest achievement as the first Kenyan to win gold in the 2015 Beijing championships.

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula however urged the Government to make Kenyan roads safe to avoid similar accidents.