Former Kenya Sevens Coach Benjamin Ayimba has received a Ksh1 million donation from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The money is meant to offset the former head coach's medical bill.
The 45-year-old popularly known as Benja has been in and out of hospital after he was diagnosed with cerebral malaria in late 2020.
President Kenyatta's donation action followed intervention from Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja who had urged members of the public and leaders alike to donate towards Benja's medical bill.
"Let's keep at it. #turnupforbenja. Thank you H.E Uhuru for the ksh1 M. Kindly @RailaOdinga @WilliamRuto @MusaliaMudavadi join in," Sakaja had urged.
Read More
Following the donation from the head of state, Sakaja rallied Kenyans to help realise the Ksh2.5 bill as informed by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
"Benja has been in and out of hospital since late 2020 following a cerebral Malaria diagnosis. His condition has deteriorated rapidly and he needs our help more than ever.
"We are appealing to all well-wishers to help contribute towards getting him the best medical treatment possible and back on his feet again," a statement by KRU read in part.
Ayimba is a former Kenya Sevens and 15s captain and was first appointed head coach of Shujaa in 2006. In 2009 he took the team to its first World Series Cup Final in Adelaide, Australia where the team lost to South Africa.
He was fired in November 2011 for opposing fielding of the team's main players at the Safaricom Sevens in November that year.
He returned in 2015 and 2016 helping Kenya to a World Rugby Sevens Series title at the 2016 Singapore Sevens.
-1730977661.jpg)
