Kenya today mourns the demise of former 2014 world youth champion, Gilbert Kwemoi.
Kwemoi passed away on Thursday, August 13, at night at Mt Elgon Hospital.
According to his close family, Kwemoi died after a short illness.
He had complained of a headache and was immediately rushed to hospital where he collapsed and died while undergoing treatment.
The 23-year-old came into the limelight in 2014 after winning a gold medal in the 15000m under 3:41.99 during the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.
In 2015, the star won a silver for Kenya during the African Under20 Championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
His coach, Issac Kirwa, who also confirmed the athlete’s demise, said that an official statement regarding the death would be released in due time.
“It is true that we have lost him at a young age. He was a promising athlete. Currently we are in a meeting, and a statement will be issued later,” stated Kirwa.
The Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka has also mourned the death of Kwemoi, describing him as focused and hardworking.
“My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the people of Mt. Elgon and the entire athletics fraternity during this time,” stated Lusaka.
“Gilbert Soet Kwemoi was a humble, talented and outstanding sportsman with a bright future,” said the speaker.
The late athlete who was born in the Mount Elgon region, Bungoma County on October 3, 1997 , used to train in Iten and Nairobi.