Kenyan Athlete Languishing in Mexico Prison Pleads for Help

A Kenyan long-distance athlete who has been languishing in a Mexican jail for months is appealing for help to secure his release and return home.

Rerimoi Barsitei, who hails from Keturwo in Barwesa ward, Baringo County, was reportedly arrested on February 14th last year alongside a group of Mexican athletes he was hosting, according to athletics.co.ke.

It is not clear why the 2020 Culiacan Marathon champion was arrested, but he has been pleading to even be deported back home.

A source close to Barsitei said the jailed runner does not speak or understand Spanish, the dominant language in the South American nation, and has never recorded a statement, hence his fate is unclear.

While in prison, Barsitei has written numerous letters to the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC, appealing for help but the mission is yet to respond. Kenya is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in the United States of America.