Kenyan Para-Badminton Star Japheth Kakai Kitela Passes Away After Returning from Turkey Games
The report indicated that the blood clots were in his other leg he was already an amputee and one of the clots must have migrated to his lungs
They also assured the family of maximum support during the difficult time. Photo/courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Kenya’s para-badminton community is in grief after the sudden death of national team player Japheth Kakai Kitela. The family reported the tragic news on Thursday, stating that the renowned player died shortly after returning from the World Abilitysport Beach Games in Mersin, Turkey.
Ability Sports Kenya Vice President Alfred Simiyu Barasa explained that Kakai took ill soon after the team’s arrival in Nairobi on Monday, October 27, 2025. He was taken to Mbagathi Hospital for medication but was confirmed dead by lunchtime on the same day. “He was a key member of our Air Para-Badminton team that clinched two gold medals at the recently concluded championship in Turkey,” an emotional Simiyu explained.
Narrating the team’s arrival back home, Simiyu said Kakai did not show any visible signs of distress during the flight. “He was perfectly okay. We had flown for about an hour from Mersin to Istanbul before catching another six-hour flight to Nairobi. We landed at about 4 a.m. and even took some photos with the media before people went their separate ways to their homes,” he recalled.
A postmortem on Wednesday at Mbagathi Hospital revealed the 51-year-old athlete died from a pulmonary embolism. The report indicated that the blood clots were in his other leg—he was already an amputee—and one of the clots must have migrated to his lungs, causing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that led to his unexpected death.
Kakai had been part of the mixed triples relay team led by John Mburu, which triumphed over host nation Turkey with a 3-1 victory during the finals at Pompei Beach, Mersin. This win secured Kenya’s second gold medal at the global event, underscoring Kakai’s crucial contribution to the country’s impressive performance.
Hailing from Muthanga Mutune village, Isovya, Kaiti Constituency, Makueni County, Kakai was a very respected figure in Kenya’s para-sports fraternity. Ability Sports Kenya officials, headed by treasurer Caroline Wanjera and president Agnes Oluoch, were in mourning upon learning of his passing. They also assured the family of maximum support during the difficult time. We are involving the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports to ensure Kakai receives a good and well-deserved send-off for a national hero,” Oluoch stated.
Kakai leaves behind a widow, Catherine Anyesi Kakai, six children, and five grandchildren. His family confirmed he would be laid to rest on November 8 at his Muthanga Mutune rural home in Makueni County. His death is not only a huge loss to his family and teammates but to the entire para-sports fraternity in Kenya.
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