From riches to rags: Ex-marathoner Beatrice Murugi receives help after emotional appeal
By Joel Masibo, September 22, 2026Former Kenyan marathoner Beatrice Murugi has been transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital on Tuesday morning, September 22, 2026, where she is supposed to undergo specialised treatment, with surgery scheduled later in the week.
Murugi’s treatment journey at KNH kicks off courtesy of intervention by an unidentified well-wisher, who was touched by her plight after her story hit the headlines of local media outlets earlier. The athlete had appealed for help as she battles persistent health problems, financial hardship and a dispute over property acquired during her athletics career.
Murugi, who once represented Kenya in international competitions, is currently living in a single-roomed house in Nyahururu, Nyandarua County, while trying to raise money for medical treatment and provide for her child.
Murugi’s early career life
Her journey in athletics began at Wangui Primary School in Ngamini, Ndaragwa, where her talent was reportedly identified while she was in Standard Four.
According to Murugi, an individual known as Kioni later introduced her to a training camp and helped facilitate her move to Japan when she was just 14.
She attended Toyo Power School from Form One to Form Three and completed her studies in 2011.
At 17, Murugi was recruited by Toyota as an athlete. Her running career developed after she relocated to Japan in 2009, where she competed in half marathons and other road races.
The income she earned from athletics enabled her to assist her family, including purchasing land for her parents and helping meet the education costs of her siblings.
However, her financial situation later deteriorated following a series of setbacks.
Murugi said she lost money in a land deal in Kiamaina before investing in a lorry that she intended to use to transport cabbages.
The vehicle was later involved in an accident at Del Monte in Thika. She said the driver subsequently disappeared.
Murugi also became a mother in August 2016. Three months after giving birth, she returned to Japan, where she competed in a half marathon before travelling back to Kenya.
She was subsequently signed by another company and continued competing for about a year before experiencing problems with her legs.
She returned to Japan for medical attention and spent approximately five months away from training before attempting to resume her athletics career.
Career hurdles
Her competitive career was eventually brought to an end by a tendon injury in 2014.
Her health challenges became more serious in 2021 when she began experiencing abdominal swelling and discomfort.
Murugi sought medical attention at several facilities and said she was initially informed that she had a uterine condition requiring surgery.
At Mwea Mission Hospital in Karira, she said doctors prescribed five injections per month, with each injection costing Ksh10,500.
The treatment temporarily eased the swelling, but the problem returned after she completed the fifth injection.
She was later placed on medication that cost as much as Ksh30,000 and was referred to different health facilities as she continued seeking treatment.
“This treatment has cost me a lot of money,” Murugi said, explaining that some of the medication required significant amounts of money.
Her health condition has also affected her ability to work and made a return to professional athletics difficult.
She said she sometimes tries to find casual employment, including tea-picking jobs, but her physical condition has made it challenging to secure such opportunities.
“Sometimes when I go to look for work picking tea, the farm owner says I cannot do it,” she said.
Apart from her medical and financial difficulties, Murugi is also seeking to resolve a dispute involving a parcel of land she purchased as an investment.
She said she entrusted the property to a close relative but has since become concerned that she could lose ownership of it.
“I would like that plot to be back in my hands now,” she said.
Murugi believes regaining control of the property would give her and her child a more secure place to live and improve their prospects.
Her child is currently schooling in Waigiri with assistance from a neighbour.
Despite the difficulties she has faced, Murugi has not abandoned her ambition of returning to athletics.
She is seeking financial and medical support to obtain proper treatment and hopes to make a comeback before Kenya hosts the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
Murugi has appealed to Athletics Kenya, fellow athletes and well-wishers to assist her as she attempts to rebuild her life. She also called for greater attention to athletes who encounter difficulties after their competitive careers.
“Salim Mvurya, I would like you to stand with me at this time,” Murugi appealed to the Sports Cabinet Secretary.