NAIROBI, Kenya, October 12, 2025 – Athletics Kenya (AK) joined the sporting fraternity in mourning the passing of legendary sprinter Hezekiah Nyamau, who passed away on Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer.
Aged 87, Nyamau was among the trailblazers of Kenyan sprints, a pioneer who carried the nation’s flag high when few believed that Kenya’s glory could stretch beyond distance running.
At the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, Nyamau was part of the formidable Kenyan quartet that clinched silver in the men’s 4x400m relay alongside Daniel Rudisha, Naftali Bon, and Charles Asati.
He also reached the semifinals of the individual 400m, narrowly missing out on a place in the final after clocking 46.37 seconds for sixth place in his heat.
His crowning moment came four years later at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, where he joined forces with Asati, Robert Ouko and Julius Sang to capture Kenya’s first-ever Olympic gold in the men’s 4x400m relay, stopping the clock at 2:59.83.
Beyond the Olympics, Nyamau’s brilliance shone at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he helped Kenya strike gold in the 4x400m relay with a time of 3:03.63.
That same year, he and teammates Naftali Bon, Thomas Saisi and Robert Ouko set a world record in the 4×880 yards relay, clocking an impressive 7:11.6.
Outside the track, Nyamau served his nation with honour and dedication in the Kenya Defence Forces, a career he embarked on in 1963 and faithfully served until his retirement in 1997.
The nation has truly lost a giant of the track, a man whose determination, humility, and excellence helped shape Kenya’s sprinting legacy and inspired generations to come.
“AK extends its deepest condolences to Nyamau’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life. His courage, discipline and devotion to country and sports will forever remain an inspiration,“ the federation said.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace and may his memory continue to run strong in the hearts of those he inspired,” they added.