Governor Sonko pledges support for family of fallen Starlets ace

Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has pledged to support the family of Rosemary ‘Mara’ Kadondi in meeting burial expenses for the former Harambee Starlets goalkeeper who died early this month after a short illness.

In paying his tribute, Sonko eulogized Kadondi as a dedicated member of the Harambee Starlets technical bench till her demise and who conquered women football in Africa playing for the national team.

“Mara was a heroin he was a good keeper and assisted the national team in winning different titles. She was also multitalented as she was also the goalkeeper trainer as well as the team kit manager. It is sad that she is no longer with us but I my prayers and thoughts are always with the family and friends.”

“It’s sad that many heroes in the currently are easily forgotten by the Government after their demise and thus it is time now for them to be appreciated while alive,” Sonko said.

The Governor who spoke after visiting Kadondi’s Nairobi residence place  in Dandora on Tuesday October 20, 2020, said through the Sonko Rescue team, he has set aside two busses to be used to ferry mourners to Sori in Hamabay County where the burial ceremony will be conducted.

“Currently a lot of our busses re out of the country delivering services to other people but I have hold two of them so that they can assist during this hard time. I will fuel them to and from and the mourners’ welfare will also be taken care of.”

“I understand there are some pending bills since her demise and together with other Nairobi leaders we will assist in that. I will also buy a her coffin among other assistance so that we can give a decent sendoff.” Said Sonko while handing Sh70,000 to the family of the deceased.

The burial was initially slated for October 17 before it was postponed to pave way for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) national elections, a it was confirmed earlier by the federation’s deputy Doris Petra.

The body, currently lying at St. Francis Mortuary Kasarani will be transferred today  to her community based Organization (CBO) in Dandora before being taken to Homa Bay on for the burial ceremony.

FKF president Nick Mwendwa, his deputy Doris Petra, Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma are among sports leaders expected to attend the burial on Saturday.

Besides her football career, Kadondi will be remembered for her Community Based Organization in Dandora, majoring in rehabilitation of youths with various psycho-social challenges.

The long-serving keeper played for Starlets from 1995 to 2012 and featured in Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) qualifiers against Djibouti and Cameroon in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

She was also part of the squad that represented Kenya in the Africa Women Championship in 2014 where Kenya lost 1-0 to Rwanda’s She Wasps.

Apart from playing for the national team, she also played for local clubs Makongeni Youth Club, Makolanders and Minicuca.

She also impressed during stints in Wales, London and Dallas Texas in 1994 and 2004 respectively.