Kenyan student-athlete Joan Jepng’etich’s body arrived in Nairobi after her tragic death in a US car accident.
The body of Kenyan student-athlete, Joan Jepng’etich who tragically lost her life in a car accident in Illinois on Thursday, December 26, has arrived in the country.
Jepng’etich’s remains landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday night, nearly a month after the fatal accident.
Family, friends, and officials from Athletics Kenya (AK) gathered at the airport to receive the 22-year-old’s body in an atmosphere filled with sorrow and solemnity.
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Offering words of comfort, AK’s Chief Administrative Officer Susan Kamau expressed the federation’s sympathy to the bereaved family.
“We pass our condolences to the family and express our deepest sympathy to them. We want to assure the family that AK will stand with you during this trying moment,” Kamau said as per Athletics Kenya.
Jepng’etich, a nursing student at Carl Sandburg College in Illinois, met her untimely death when the Mercedes Benz she was traveling in with two friends veered off the highway near Barstow, Galesburg.
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Her two companions, a man and a woman both aged 22, also succumbed to their injuries.
The tragic incident has left a deep void among her family, friends, and the athletics fraternity in both Kenya and the United States.
Family and friends of U.S.-based Kenyan runner Joan Jepngetich as well as AK officials, after receiving the body of the 22-year-old at JKIA. © Athletics Kenya
Kipkurui Chepkwony, a family friend, described Jepng’etich’s passing as a profound loss to her community in Chebarbar location, Kapsabet.
“It is a huge loss to us as a community back home in Chebarbar. She was not just an athlete, but a neighbour and a friend,” Chepkwony shared.
He further extended gratitude to those who played a role in repatriating Jepng’etich’s body, including Carl Sandburg College, the government of Kenya, and AK.
“The college have been very supportive as well as the athletics community in Illinois. They ensured that Joan’s body was safely transported to Nairobi from JFK Airport. The government also facilitated the clearance of the body from the airport, and AK were instrumental in facilitating communication between the athletics community in Kenya and America. We are really grateful for the support,” he said.
Jepng’etich’s athletic achievements were notable, and she had become a shining star in cross-country competitions.
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She represented Carl Sandburg College in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) events, where her talents were evident in her strong performances.
She recorded personal bests of 2:39.49 in the 800m, 5:16.60 in the 1500m, and 19:29.46 in the 5000m.
Her last race was at the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championships on November 11, where she finished 64th with a time of 20:32.2.
Just a month prior, Jepng’etich had helped propel her team to victory at the Arrowhead Conference Cross Country Championships in Kishwaukee, finishing second in 22:03.3.
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Jepng’etich’s body was transferred to Montezuma Funeral Home, and preparations are underway for her final journey to her rural home in Chebarbar.
The burial is scheduled for Tuesday next week, following a weekend of mourning and tribute.
