Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has denied reports that renowned Kenyan female boxer Conjestina Achieng has passed away.
Sonko was giving a speech Saturday afternoon at the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Hospital in Miritini, where Conjestina is undergoing rehabilitation.
He had gone to check on her and give her some boxing equipment.
Conjestina will be released from the hospital the following week, according to a series of social media posts Sonko published.
“Kazi iendelee. Conjee is still alive and doing well at the Mombasa women rehab. She will be discharged next week,” Mike Sonko informed.
Social media users started spreading reports about Conjestina’s demise on Thursday.
Conjestina had been brought to the hospital because of deteriorating physical and mental condition in July.
Conje’s spectacular career made her the darling of many Kenyans, but since 2011, she has been plagued by mental illness and financial problems.
She assaulted and seriously hurt her younger brother in Siaya in 2016 after evading the rehabilitation center in Kisumu.
On June 28, Kenyans from all walks of life were struggling to accept the terrible reality that the former boxer, despite being one of the best fighters Kenya had ever produced, was living in utter poverty.
Online images of the former award-winning boxer broke Kenyan hearts and touched their wounded nerves.
Sonko vowed to assist Conjestina once more once the photographs went viral.
“I’ve singlehandedly helped her before, taken her to various hospitals and rehab centers including Nairobi County rehabilitation center in Parklands, Diani Beach among others where she gets full recovery and discharged then when she gets back to shags after a while gets worse again,” said Sonko
Adding; “However despite my busy court schedule and tribulations, I have decided to continue helping her including taking her to Mtumishi prophetess Mary Kagendo for prayers. I am just now dispatching a car with my team to Siaya to facilitate her movement.”
Since retiring from boxing, the boxer has been struggling with mental health issues.
