Loss to Kenya's Olympic Team

On the eve of Kenya’s first ever Olympic rowing team departing for Athens, tragedy struck when head coach Senior Sergent Juvenalis Gitau was killed in a car accident.

Gitau was part of the growth of international rowing in Kenya and had been coaching single sculler Ibrahim Githaiga who is about to become the first ever rower to compete at the Olympics for Kenya. Gitau had become the only level 3 trained coach in East and Central Africa and had undergone training in Spain and Australia.

As a coach Gitau represented Kenya at a number of continental competitions and was involved in training most of the rowers from the Kenya Navy as well as giving his time to train many others rowers.
Chairman of the Keynan Rowing and Canoe Association, Sief Patwa describes Gitau: “Those of you who knew Gitau will attest to his very pleasurable character and disposition. His military background prepared him to be a very good and effective coach who was strict where required and gave those under him enough room for personal development and achievement.”

Last year Gitau received a scholarship as part of the International Olympic Committee?s solidarity programme as a reflection of his dedication to the sport of rowing and his participation in the upcoming Olympic Games. 

“We will go to Athens with memories,” says Patwa. “We will be dedicating our participation to him.”

Gitau leaves behind his wife Susan and two children.

Githaiga, who has been training with the Dutch Olympic team, will continue to receive guidance from the Netherlands in Athens.