Deaths Reported During KDF Recruitment

A man who collapsed at Kianyaga Stadium in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County on Tuesday during the ongoing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise has died.

Police said Francis Wachira Kabuga collapsed after finishing the final lap while entering the gate of the stadium where first aid was administered before he was rushed to the Kianyaga sub-county hospital.

He was later taken to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital as his condition worsened, where he died in the evening.

“He was running with other recruits before he developed complications and died after being taken to Kerugoya Hospital. Right now, his body is lying at Kibugi Funeral Home in Kutus waiting for postmortem to establish what caused his death,” Kirinyaga East sub-county police commander Millicent Ochuka said.

Speaking Wednesday morning at Kegwa village in Gichugu, the Kabuga’s family led by his father Charles Kabuga said they were shocked after receiving a phone call.

“I was called by his wife telling me Wachira has been taken to Kerugoya Hospital after he collapsed in Kianyaga General Stadium. I took a boda boda and rode over 30 kilometres from my home where I was shocked to see him lifeless in Kerugoya hospital,” Kabuga said.

The family said they had hoped Kabuga, 25, would fulfil his dream and join the KDF.