The Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) has mourned fallen athlete Siraj Rubayita, eulogising him as a good athlete in whom they had big expectations. The 34-year-old middle distance runner died on Friday, August 18 in Iten, Kenya where he was camping for individual training. ALSO READ: Rwandan athlete dies in Kenya following a love triangle fight Investigations are underway into the matter, but Kenyan media reported that his death followed a violent altercation with a Kenyan athlete on Thursday last week, sparked by a love triangle revolving around a certain woman for whom the two were contending. Speaking to Times Sport, RAF Secretary General Jean Paul Niyintunze, said, “it is sad for us to lose such a good athlete in whom the federation had big expectations.” Niyintunze noted that Iten is one of the camps to which Rwandan athletes love to go for individual training, and a number of them have visited it in the past. Meanwhile, Rubayita’s family issued a statement lamenting his death that was as a result of “a senseless act of violence.” The family asked for privacy and respect as the investigations into the matter continue. “To ensure a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the circumstances surrounding this heart-breaking tragedy, we are refraining from fueling more speculation until the police investigation concludes,” reads part of the statement. “In this difficult period, we request for patience and understanding as we navigate the challenges before us. Our focus remains on mourning our son and providing full cooperation to the authorities in their pursuit of truth and justice,” it adds. Rubayita participated in a number of international events including the Kigali Peace Marathon, Regional 10000m Championships in Campo Atletica in Italy, Ugandan Championships in Kampala, Gensan Giulietta and Romeo Half Marathon in Verona, Italy to name a few.
