Arguably Africa’s strongest man Conrad Njeru Karukenya, aka Tiger Power, passed on in Embu County.
According to his brother Ansemoli Kathuri, the 72-year-old died on Tuesday night while receiving treatment at Consolata Mission Hospital in Kyeni, Embu County.
Referred to as Kenya’s “strongest man” thanks to his extraordinary stunts such as breaking a six-inch nail with his finger, letting a Land Rover roll over him unscathed, lifting eight huge men without much effort and pulling a car with his teeth.It has been reported that the late Tiger Power has been battling illness since 2015, the reason he had to quit powerlifting. In his battle against power health, kidney failure, lung and heart complications have sent him to the hospital over the last few years of his life.
According to a report by EDaily, Mr. Njeru, Power’s son reflected that the famed public performer struggled financially. Njeru said, “Dad had no other source of income besides the stunts he pulled at public events.” It is recorded that the father’s financial constraints affected his ability to pay for his medical bills. “In August 2015, he was in his hospital bed struggling to raise Ksh7, 000 for a scan. He sought financial help to meet his medical bills.”
Last year, at 71, Conrad graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor in Education in Early Childhood Education) and aspired to build his own school. He also held a Diploma in Physical Fitness.
Tiger Power who was a farmer in his home village of Makengi in Embu was awarded a Head of State Commendation by former President Mwai Kibaki in 2008 before he fell ill.
