Pains Of The Podium

The date was October 21st, 2021. The country received the news that Kenyan long distance runner, and two-time world championships bronze medalist, Agnes Tirop, was dead. The then president, Uhuru Kenyatta, commissioned speedy investigations into the matter that has so far led to the prosecution of the fallen athlete's husband as the sole suspect. The matter is still in court. But, Tirop's tragic death lifted the lid on the reality of abuse that various Kenyan female athletes endure, at the hands and evil whims of those entrusted to develop their talents: From trainers, to coaches and talent managers, and, very key and unfortunate, their spouses, or partners - all abusing the trust, and vulnerability of these women.

NTV’s Loise Wangui crossed counties, to find the women behind some of the sad tales, and spoke to four athletes who’ve fallen victim to sex predators, and outright abusers of their dignity. Tonight, NTV investigates reveals the dark, traumatic side of the journey to the finish line; where the glory of the medals ends, and the darkness of betrayal, illegality and cover-ups have found a home.

This is our special investigative report, Pains Of The Podium.
« | »
News Features
Living on Hope When Lydia Sasanu first felt the lump in her breast while nursing her baby, a doctor's reassurance made her doubt her instincts. That decision would change her life. Today, at 38, she battles stage three triple-negative breast cancer – a recurrence after her first surgery failed. From her home in coastal Kwale County, Lydia now makes grueling 500-kilometre journeys to Nairobi for treatment. Each trip stretches her family's resources and tests her resolve, but she perseveres, driven by an unshakable determination to be there for her child. NTV's Hellen Aura traveled with Lydia from the shores of the Indian Ocean to the capital's cancer wards, documenting one woman's fight against a disease that forces thousands of Kenyans to make similar journeys in search of care that should be available closer home. This is Lydia's story, Living On Hope. February 3, 2025
Ghosts Of 2007: Burden Of Rape More than 17 years since post-poll violence engulfed Kenya in the aftermath of the 2007 elections, survivors of rape and other sexual violence continue to experience significant physical and psychological trauma and socioeconomic hardship. Women and children, who found themselves caught up in the rage, were attacked and even sexually abused. Until recently, their pain and losses had not been addressed, but the memories continue to haunt them. NTV’s Rose Wangui spoke to women who are raising children born from rape following the disputed presidential elections. January 14, 2025
Silencing the Guardians | Dissolution of the Kenya Water Towers Agency After slightly more than 10 years of existence and service in rehabilitating and protecting Water Towers in Kenya, the government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, announced the dissolution of the Kenya Water Towers Agency in December of 2024. This was due to the agency’s lack of sound legal backing and overlapping mandates with other state parastatals. However, this closure - according to environmentalists - was questionable. The Attorney General for instance - who is the government’s chief legal advisor - had given the green light about the existence of the agency, advising that the legal concerns that the Ministry of Environment was having in closing the agency were unfounded, staff of the agency and other key officials at the board, also desperately fought to save it, but their efforts bore no fruit. Tonight, NTV investigates has gone deeper into the dissolution and closure of the Kenya Water Towers Agency and reports that in fact, there is more than meets the eye in the decision. NTV'S senior reporter Ibrahim Karanja with that special investigative report, Silencing the Guardians. January 5, 2025
Gakuru's horrific demise

Dr Patrick Wahome Gakuru had only served as Nyeri’s third governor for 79 days before meeting his horrendous death in a tragic road crash, along the Nyeri-Nairobi highway.

During a public inquest of his shocking death, statements presented by various witnesses painted a picture of how the governor slowly, painfully died, as he remained trapped in his official vehicle with a guard rail piercing through him. He bled profusely, before he was removed from the wreckage, more than thirty minutes later.

His family abandoned the inquest after a conflict arose between them and the director of public prosecutions, over failure to summon five persons of interest who they wanted interrogated. Who were these big five? Why were they crucial witnesses in the inquest, and, why did they object appearing in order to clear the air and state their innocence?

Also, how did the late governor have a police impostor as head of security? Why is it that until now, the insurance company, through the Nyeri county government, has not compensated Gakuru’s bodyguard Ahmed Kaib, who survived the crash, but lost his leg through amputation? Here is NTV investigates: Gakuru’s horrific demise - by NTV’s Senior Reporter Duncan Khaemba.

 December 29, 2024
Gemstone Heist: Rogue govt officers aiding foreigners to cart away tsavorite

Illegal precious stones traders operating clandestinely in Voi town are making millions, if not billions of shillings, while avoiding taxes as well as license fees.

As NTV's Kevin Mutai reports in the following report dubbed 'gemstone heist', government agencies including the police are part of a well coordinated syndicated that is shipping gemstones from Tsavo leaving locals in Taita Taveta with nothing to show for it.

Lowly paid artisanal miners working in the mine tunnels in Tsavo have died and others sustained also permanent injuries in search of the shiny rocks that fetch handsome cash miles away from home.

 December 28, 2024
The Longton brothers' 32-day abduction ordeal Jamil and Aslam Longton were abducted right outside their gate in Kitengela in the aftermath of intense demonstrations witnessed in the area. The two brothers were abducted on August 19, by persons believed to be police officers. They were taken to some unknown destination, where they were held for long periods of time in what they can only describe as torture chambers. NTV's Rose Wangui, spoke, to the Longton brothers , who shared their ordeal of the torture, they were subjected to for thirty two days. December 26, 2024
Behind The Veil Of Glitter Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASGM) has long been associated with "illegal mining," a label that underscores the significant challenges surrounding this practice. This form of mining raises urgent concerns globally, particularly regarding human health due to the widespread use of mercury. Mercury, a heavy metal known for its toxic effects and classified as carcinogenic by scientists, is frequently employed in the gold extraction process, especially in the panning of ore. This hazardous activity is predominantly undertaken by women, highlighting both the gender dynamics and the risks involved. Beyond the health implications, ASGM contributes to severe environmental degradation. The relentless excavation of land not only disrupts ecosystems but also leads to air and water pollution, further jeopardising human and environmental health. To shed light on these issues, NTV's Regional Reporter, Judith Cherono Omondi ventured into the gold-belt regions of Nyanza and Western and now brings us this special report, #BehindTheVeilOfGlitter. December 26, 2024
Bloody Injustice When, in June, simmering public anger poured into the streets in a wave of protests against President William Ruto's administration, the state responded by launching a brutal crackdown on dissidents with alarming police excesses. Scores of Kenyans were killed by the bullet, others abducted and tortured, and some are still missing. It is an issue that has scarred victims, yet their pain is still not enough for authorities to take action on rogue officers as prescribed by the law. Several months later, the scars of the historic uprising remain etched in the minds of many affected families, some of whom are still seeking their kin to this day. NTV spoke to a number of families across the country for this special report, Bloody Injustice. December 23, 2024
Scars Of Unending Banditry In the last one year alone about 81 people have been shot dead in the ongoing conflict along the Meru, Isiolo border. Among the dead is five national police reservists who were deployed in December 2023 to quell the rising tension from warring communities on either sides of the troubled border. Our regional team has been traversing the larger Meru County and it is now emerging that some of the 140 police reservists recruited then have downed their tools decrying what they describe as a brutal and thankless calling. The violence which is highly attributed to cattle rustling is now threatening to turn the area into a killing field. December 21, 2024