Kenya Mourns Para-Badminton Hero Japheth Kakai After Golden Triumph
By MAXIMILLA WAFULA & PATRICK KIMANZI
Staff Reporter
October 30, 2025 – Nairobi
Kenya’s sports fraternity is mourning the untimely death of Japheth Kakai Kitela, a decorated Kenya Para-Badminton national team athlete who passed away shortly after returning from the World Ability sport Beach Games in Mersin, Turkey.
According to Ability Sports Kenya Vice President Alfred Simiyu Barasa, Kakai fell ill on Monday, October 27, 2025, just hours after Team Kenya’s arrival in Nairobi and was pronounced dead at Mbagathi Hospital later that day.
Kakai was an integral member of Kenya’s Air Para-Badminton team that won two gold medals in the just concluded World Ability Sports Beach Games. Simiyu, who travelled alongside him, recounted that the athlete had shown no signs of distress throughout their return journey. They travelled from Mersin to Istanbul, and then connected a six-hour flight to Nairobi, arriving early in the morning. After a brief photo session with the media team, the athletes went home.
A postmortem conducted on Wednesday at Mbagathi Hospital revealed that Kakai, who had previously lost one leg, suffered deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his remaining leg. The resulting blood clots are believed to have caused a pulmonary embolism, a fatal blockage in the lungs.
At 51 years old, Kakai was part of John Mburu’s Mixed Triples Relay team, which clinched victory over hosts Turkey 3–1 during the finals held on October 25, 2025, at Pompei Beach in Mersin. The triumph secured Kenya’s second gold medal at the prestigious global event, marking one of the country’s proudest sporting moments.
Hailing from Isovya, Muthanga Mutune village in Kaiti Constituency, Makueni County, and Kakai was celebrated for his perseverance, discipline, and unwavering commitment to para-sport excellence. He served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many athletes living with disabilities across Kenya.
Ability Sports Kenya President Agnes Oluoch and Treasurer Caroline Wanjera have expressed their condolences to Kakai’s family and pledged the federation’s full support. They also revealed that consultations are ongoing with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports to ensure the fallen hero is accorded a dignified send-off befitting his national service.
Kakai is survived by his wife, Catherine Anyesi Kakai, six children, and five grandchildren. His burial will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at his home in Muthanga Mutune, Makueni County.
As tributes pour in from across the sporting community, Kenya remembers Japheth Kakai Kitela not only for his golden victories but also for his humility, courage, and indomitable spirit -a true champion who embodied the essence of ability in disability.
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