Olympian Saisi to be laid to rest today in Kapenguria

Legendary athlete Thomas Saisi who passed away on March 30 in Kapenguria County Referral Hospital in West Pokot County will be laid to rest today at his Kishaunet farm in Kapenguria, West Pokot County.

His international career began at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City where he finished seventh in the 800m race on a time of 1.47.59 in a race in which another Kenyan, Wilson Kiprugut, finished second in 1.44.5 behind winner Ralph Doubell of Australia.

He eventually redeemed himself by clinching a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 1972 Olympics in Munich where they clocked 2:59.83.

He featured along alongside Robert Ouko, Naftali Bon and Hezekiah Nyamau in race that the English quartet of Dave Hemery, Alan Pascoe, David Jenkins and Martin Reynolds finished second (3.00.46).

Saisi’s demise means Nyamau is the only surviving member of the pioneer sprint team after the passing on of Bon in November 2018 and Ouko in August 2019.

The 75-year-old Thomas Saisi joined Kenya Police in 1964 and retired in 2000 as a Senior Sergeant.

His eldest son Stephen Saisi confirmed that his father had been battling high blood pressure since October last year.

The late is survived by two wives and nine children.