Legendary Kenyan Footballer Joe Kadenge passed away at the age of 84 on Sunday while undergoing medical treatment in a hospital in Nairobi after a long period of illness.
Many mourned Kadenge as the country’s greatest football who was a role model to many and a true ambassador for Kenya’s soccer, sending their heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed his condolences describing Kadenge’s demise as a loss to the sporting fraternity and the nation at large.
“It is with profound sadness that I have learnt of the demise of Mzee Joe Kadenge. His death is a loss to the sporting fraternity and our nation. Joe exemplified talent, dedication and patriotism. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time,” he said.
Senators now want Nyayo Stadium renamed after the late Kadenge in his remembrance terming him as a true national icon who deserves to be immortalised through the renaming of the country’s second biggest sporting facility.
Vihiga Senator George Khaniri proposed that the senators should come up with a law to remember all national heroes in future, after painting a sad state of Kadenge’s family. Senator James Orengo, who was the first to suggest that Nyayo Stadium be named after Kadenge. He paid glowing tribute to the legend as an icon who had no equal and was a perfect fit in the formidable 1970 Brazil World Cup winning team with the like Pele.
Orengo added that many other institutions had the name Nyayo and replacing the stadium with Kadenge’s name will not affect President Moi’s slogan. Nairobi Senator Sakaja and Bungoma Senator Wetangula reiterated with the proposition saying that Kadenge, greatest footballer of all times should be immortalised.
There will be a fundraiser at Charter Hall next Tuesday for Kadenge’s burial arrangements followed by a requiem mass at Friends’ Church on Wednesday before the body is flown to Vihiga on Friday.