The CS and NOC-K boss eulogited the veteran administrator as a towering figure who contributed greatly to the development of sports
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) president Paul Tergat have led tributes to fallen Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) boss Waithaka Kioni.
Kioni passed away on Sunday morning following a short illness with his demise sending shock across the Kenyan sporting fraternity.
“Mr Kioni was reportedly taken ill yesterday (Saturday) and rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed around 1am this (Sunday) morning,” NOC-K, where Kioni served as second Vice President, said via a statement on social media. “NOC-K is devastated by the loss of its Executive Member and an ardent volleyball sports leader over the years.”
Namwamba eulogised Kioni as a “towering leader in the world of sports, particularly in volleyball” while Tergat said he was “devasted” to lose a man he termed “friend, colleague and father-figure.”
“Woken up to very devastating news of the death of my second VP at NOC-K, my friend, colleague and father-figure Waithaka Kioni after a short illness. We are yet to come to terms as an Olympic Movement in Kenya about this loss. Poleni to his family. God comfort you,” read Tergat’s condolence message.
Namwamba’s Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke also expressed his shock at Kioni’s demise, saying: “My heartfelt condolences and thoughts go to the family of Waithaka Kioni, the Second Vice President of National Olympic Committee-Kenya (NOC-K) and President of Kenya Volleyball. The sporting fraternity will always celebrate him as he strived to transform Kenyan volleyball.”
Kenya Pipeline, a club Kioni helped form 39 years ago, were shocked to lose a father figure, founder and life-time supporter.
“Kenya Pipeline Volleyball Club would like to join the volleyball fraternity in mourning the death of Kenya Volleyball Federation President Waithaka Kioni. Kioni will always feature in the history of the club having founded it in 1984 and contributed to its success both locally,” the club said.
The tributes came in from outside Kenya with the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), where he served as Vice President, and Uganda Women Volleyballs also mourning the towering 70-year-old.
“Our executive vice president who doubles as the president of Kenya Volleyball Federation and vice president of NOC-K Waithaka Kioni passed on in Nairobi earlier Sunday morning after a briefed illness. Rest well,” said CAVB’s statement.
Uganda Women Volleyball said: “Uganda Women Volleyball joins the rest of the world to mourn the sadden death of Kenya Volleyball Federation President Waithaka Kioni who passed on this Sunday in Nairobi. You will always be remembered.”
Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions Tusker FC were among other sporting teams that also sought to celebrate the departed veteran sports administrator.
“We would like to join the Kenyan sports fraternity in mourning the sudden demise of the Kenya Volleyball Federation president Mr Waithaka Kioni. Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, volleyball family and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya,” said Tusker in their condolence message.
Kioni was the longest-serving KVF boss, having first been elected in 1998, when it was known as Kenya Volleyball Association, before it changed its name to Kenya Volleyball Federation two years later.
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