Girl drops assault charges against runner Kemboi

The third fastest runner in Kenya, Ezekiel Kemboi is now free from assault charges he was facing. The court was about to open the hearing of the case when Anne Njeri Otieno, announced to have dropped the accusation.

It was a big surprise to Kemboi. The announcement came while he was consciously set in the court waiting for the hearing of the case which has been a talk in the East African leader in first class athletes.

Anne claims that she has not received any kind of compensation as remedy for what she was humiliated to, only that she has decided to forgive Kemboi.

“I want to go back to university to pursue journalism and have forgiven Kemboi out of my own free will,” Anne was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency, outside the court.

She said she needed enough time to concentrate with her study something that she believed could not be accomplished while having the case going on.

Kemboi lawyer suggests that the girl had found unworthy to proceed with the case since it was damaging her own status and that of her family and of the nation as a whole.

Kemboi has all along been denying the charges that he stabbed Anne after she rejected sexual demand. He instead states that the girl was stabbed during the skirmishes which ensued when the gang she associated with, had wanted to rob him.

Kemboi won the gold medal in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at the London olympic games last June in eight minutes 18:56 seconds. The medal was Kemboi’s another big achievement since 2001 when he first entered into the world books as a big runner. He has run in both Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia and his best time in history is 7:55:76 seconds.

It was in the African Junior Championships in Reduit, Mauritius. Since 2009 he has been under manager Enrico Dionisi and Moses Kiptanui, his neighbour, is his coach. His colleagues in similar achievement are Reuben Kosgei and Brimin Kipruto.

Born in 25^th May 1982 at Marakwet district village of Matira, Kemboi did not take up athletic during the time he was schooling, but was spotted by Paul Ereng who noticed his talent. Kemboi is married to Jane with two sons.