National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has led the Kenyan sports fraternity in mourning the sudden passing on of their vice-president Waithaka Kioni.
The former journalist and a long-serving sports administrator was reportedly taken ill on Saturday 8 April and rushed to hospital where he succumbed around 1 am in the morning.
“NOC-K sadly announces the unfortunate sudden passing on of our 2nd Vice-President and President of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), the Late, Mr. Waithaka Kioni early this morning in Nairobi.
NOC-K is devastated with the loss of its Executive Member and an ardent volleyball sport leader over the years. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his immediate and extended family, friends and volleyball fraternity in Kenya and Africa for this loss,” read part of the Committee’s announcement written by President Paul Tergat.
Until his demise, Kioni was also serving as the KVF president, a post he was set to leave later this month when the federation is set to hold its elections.
Kioni was first elected as the Kenya Volleyball Association (KVA) national chairman in 1998 before the federation changed its name to Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) in 2000.
He, however, resigned before completing his term after the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
He made a comeback in 2006 and has been at the helm ever since. Under his leadership, the women’s national team, Malkia Strikers, have won four African Women’s Cup of Nations titles, four African Games gold medals and the historic FIVB Grand Prix Group 3 victory.
They have also participated in the Olympics and World Championships in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
He was also the CAVB vice president.
