NAIROBI, May 6 –Pioneering Olympics female boxer Elizabeth Andiego can finally go home to her son after her shameful hospital detention nightmare ended Wednesday.
It took the intervention of nominated Member of Parliament and The National Alliance Party chairman, Johnson Sakaja and Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) chairman, Hilary Alila to come to her aid ending a pitiful ordeal that has lasted for three weeks.
Andiego, the only female boxer to fight at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games for Kenya had been held at Kenyatta National Hospital, like so many other desperate patients for failing to raise her Sh60, 000 bill (USD630) following an operation on her left leg after being involved in a hit and run accident.
“I’m very happy today I’m sleeping in my house; I want to thank all those who came to my aid especially Sakaja and Alila. They also gave me some cash to cater for my medication. I feel appreciated,” Andiego, a mother of one, told Capital Sport after being allowed to go home.
On Monday Capital Sport revealed Andiego was being held up at the largest referral institution despite being discharged last week for failing to settle her dues where she suffered the ignominy of being forced to sleep on the floor when her bed was withdrawn.
It could take up to seven months for her to be back on her feet but Andiego who made the last 16 at the Scotland Commonweath Games, is still hopeful she will live her dream of competing at Rio Summer Games in 2016.
Andiego’s ordeal started when the motorcycle she had hitched a lift was rammed by a taxi while returning home from a Nairobi Central Business District gym along Kangundo Road.
“We called the taxi company that was responsible but they told us they can’t do anything since the company hired the car, but they are following up on their insurers to pay me,” Andiego who grew up at Nairobi’s Eastlands said.
