Former 400m hurdles world champion Nicholas Bett who died in a road accident last week will be buried tomorrow at his Simat home in Lemook village, Uasin Gishu. Bett’s body will leave Moi teaching and referral hospital Mortuary today.
But this comes amid reports that the family has denied Bett’s wife a chance to pay last respects to her husband.
A woman claiming to be the wife of the deceased athlete has been blocked by his family members from ever stepping in his home.
According to Brenda Bett, she met Nicholas Bett in 2016 at her dad’s funeral and later moved in together with Nicholas in December of the same year. In 2017 August, the two relocated back to Eldoret as the athlete pursued his running career and the two were blessed with daughter Kyle.
Nicholas Bett who was a police officer was later transferred to Nairobi’s Langata Police Station where he lived with Brenda and Kyle until his death a few weeks ago.
According to Brenda, Nicholas left Nairobi for Eldoret where he had an appointment with a doctor. In fact, on the morning of his death, Brenda was to drive Nicholas Bett to Eldoret since he had an injury but baby Kyle got sick and the mother had to rush her to the hospital.
Brenda and Nicholas were planning a wedding which every member of his family and hers was aware of but now his side of the family has promised to hurt her if she ever steps in her home. According to Brenda, she has been blocked from burying the love of her life.
Sources close to Nicholas Bett corroborates the story of Brenda claiming that, the late athlete impregnated a girl while he was still in high school. Since the girl was from the nearby area, Bett was forced to marry the girl he impregnated but there was no formal church or traditional marriage ceremony to cement the relationship.
Brenda has availed photos showing her with Bett and Kyle in various situations while also claiming that his colleagues at the Kenya Police knew their relationship and can back her up.
When Nicholas Bett’s death was announced, Brenda posted a hearty message remembering the love of her life, but the post was immediately stolen by Gladys Bett who just changed a few words and used the same on her personal Facebook page.
In an emotional tribute to her husband, Brenda wrote:
I have lost a golden heart. I celebrate you, my sweetheart. You always loved us. You loved me like your own sister.
I thank God for the moments we shared. I will treasure them forever. What can I say now baba kokoo? The man who taught me to be humble ti see things and zip up.
I have lost you in a cruel way that if I knew you were going to die I would have sipped the journey.
I feel now that that was the last hug and kiss the last ‘I love you and take care of baby Kylie’. The way you talked to me at night was soo deep that I can now say those were your final words to me.’ Cheruto, mama Kylie I love you from my heart and one day you will attest this’ and I smiled and told you, babe, stop it. You don’t have to tell me the world knows and I know you love me so much and I love you too very much.
If I continue writing this, I will write forever. I have known you to be the person of dignity, the man who never gave up. You believed in your dreams, you loved your family more than anything. I’ll always remember your words every morning that babe I have told you I’m your dad not only your husband and I feel very safe in your hands.
Words can never describe your kindness, Those who were close to you know the kind of a person you were.
You always said ‘Kylie my heart, I promise to take care of her’. This is the gift that I couldn’t ask for. I promise you over there Kylie will be taken care of by her strong mum. You always said you trust me, God saw it best not to take both of us because of Kylie I would have been your driver but I don’t know what happened to me I withdrew the journey the last minute. After Kylie fell sick and I had to stay behind to watch her so that I take her to the hospital later in the day. Babes shine on your way. Forever in my heart. I love you so much pakokoo.
RIP my hero”.
The burial ceremony was earlier set for Friday but was pushed back after Government officials including National Police Service made a request.
Deputy President William Ruto is expected to lead the government delegation at the burial.