Frederick Likuyani @PeopleSport11
Political leaders were among thousands of football fans who thronged Bukhungu Stadium yesterday to receive the body of legendary Joseph ‘Joe’ Kadenge when it landed in Kakamega.
Led by Vihiga County Governor Wilber Otichillo, the fans paid respects to the body of the former national team captain before it was transported by road to his home village in Gisambai, Vihiga County.
Political leaders, and former players who had opportunity to speak praised Kadenge as a person who was an exceptional and fantastic player loaded with unique skills and talent that will take years to be replicated.
Joseph Muyeka, 83 who played together with Kadenge from high school, North Nyanza team, Maragoli United and Abaluhya FC moved mourners with revelations of how together with Kadenge were spotted and scouted from Musingu and Bushiangala high schools respectively by the late Elijah Lidonde to join North Nyanza team where they excelled and cemented their positions earning them great exposure.
“Kadenge was very skilful with an electrifying pace that easily broke down opponents and opened space for us to score easily.
He was a God-fearing person and very hard working both in training and during the match.
In 1958 after he joined the sports office in Kakamega, he was among the founder members and also went on to supervise the construction of the famous Bukhungu Stadium from the current Muliro Gardens,” he said.
Former Ministry of Works (MOW, then MOTCOM) striker Aggrey Litali who was privileged to play against Kadenge in 1976 during match involving MOW and Maragoli United paid glowing tribute to Kadenge and called on the national government and county governments to formulate policies that will see former players who featured for national team recognised.
Otichillo supported the call to rename Nairobi City Stadium after Kadenge who he described as a great football hero recognised across Kenya, the entire region and worldwide, a feat that saw him honoured by Fifa during the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
