Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika on Thursday eulogised legendary boxer Philip Waruinge who died on Wednesday aged 77 years.
She termed the Olympian as one of the great boxers from Nakuru who had placed the county and Kenya on the world map.
"He was the most celebrated Kenyan boxer having made the country proud 1960s and 1980s by becoming the first African to win three gold medals consecutively in the African Championships in 1964, 1964 and 1968," she said
Waruinge won two Olympic medals, three Commonwealth medals and two medals from the All Africa Games.
The featherweight boxer who was popularly known as Nakayama due to his long stay in Japan won two gold medals in the 1966 and 1970 Commonwealth games and an Olympic bronze medal in the 1968 Mexico City Summer Games.
He continued his winning streak at the global level in 1972 during the Munich Olympic Games which Sammy Mbugua, his younger brother, scooped a bronze in the lightweight category in the same competition.
In a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Governor David Kones during Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Nakuru Railway Station, Kihika said the county has produced Kenya’s renown heroes including tens of boxers.
"Boxers from Nakuru the likes of David DK Kamau, Gabriel Kinyua, Stephen Ndegwa, Arizona Odek, John Nderu and Peter Morris have ruled the ring and we celebrate them on this Mashijaa day," Kihika said while sending her condolences to Waruinge’s family.
She added that Nakuru has produced great athletes such as 1500m gold medalist Faith Kipyegon and World Marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui.
The governor also celebrated teachers and doctors saying that they continued to work tirelessly under harsh conditions to keep the people literate and healthy.
"We cannot celebrate teachers and doctors enough for their sacrifices to fight disease and illiteracy," she said.
She urged the residents to remain united as they face the years ahead inspired by those who paid the supreme prize to liberate the country.
"Let us continue working tirelessly for the prosperity of Nakuru County,” Kihika said as she promised to prioritise provision of clean water and establish feeding programs for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
