The family of a 37-year-old former Kenyan athlete from Bomet who died in Mexico last December is appealing for financial support to help airlift the body home.
The body of Josphat Kibet Ngetich has been lying at a morgue in the country since December 14.
Reports filed with the Mexican police indicate that Ngetich drowned while attempting to rescue a dog of his employer that had accidentally fallen into a pool.
His body was retrieved two days later while floating.
According to his family, up to Sh3 million which includes costs to airlift the body is required.
This, even as it raised fears that authorities there may dispose the body if the given timeframe lapses.
“We are humbly pleading with anyone out there to assist us have the body of my late husband brought home for burial. We have tried all we could to raise part of the needed money we have still fallen short of the target,” Janeth Ngetich, the widow said.
Ngetich, a long-distance runner is said to have sustained a leg injury in 2006 and continued to participate in races until 2010 when he opted to retire.
He was employed by a family in the southern North American country.
He is said to have last left home on October 27, 2007, when his wife was expecting their third child.
Janeth said in an interview that her late husband has not been to Kenya since then after his attempt to renew travel documents while in Mexico failed.
The last conversation with him, she said, was a month before he met his death which was through a video call.
The deceased was initially based in the US before switching to Mexico.
Among the races he participated in are the Monterrey Half Marathon in 2005 when he emerged the winner, Saltillo Coahuila Half Marathon in 2006 which he also won and Zapopan Benito Jaurez half marathon which he came second.
The last race in which he is said to have taken part was the Belo Horizonte 10-kilometre race in 2008 which he won after clocking 29:09.
At his Taabet home in Chesoen ward, several medals have been hung on the wall.
To help the family bring the athlete back home you can send your aid through Paybill number 247247, account number is 0729 543 914. The account name is The Late Ngetich Financial Appeal.