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.
Comments (24)
Lots of these Embassies are WHITE Elephants. Well, if he is Accused of committing Crime, may GOD handle his Case.
@ Guest1, Iam alittle confused here. Are you saying that he hires God as is defense attorney,or God would adjudicate the case.
Secondly, where was God when the athlete was being detained? Wouldn't have been the best time to intervene? Of course you better than me when it comes to how your God works,but surely Iam asking valid questions ,right?
@Maxikey. We have Lots of People around the World Who are Serving or have Servedd decades in Jails/Prisons for Crimes the Did not Commit. They were Framed. This is Why if you Read my Statement again, you'll Notice that it's a Measured statement in which I said "Handle" the Case for Justice; not Condonement. And Justice is not Necessarily to "Set him Free". For I know how "GOD Handles Situations" better than those "Holier than Me(s)" out there. I have been there and Seen it; and even Experienced it.
My point is what has God got to do with this. The judicial system is already in place.Do you want God to over ride it? You claim that "you know how God handles situations.Tell us how he should or would handle this situation? Iwanna know?
You're not a GOD believer. So I ain't going to Waste my Energy exacerbating the Discussion.
@maxiley, I didn’t know you an Atheist! How else do you expect the athlete to acquire some mercy in a Mexican jail?
First of all if he committed acrime, he should face the punishment. We are not quite sure what he did from the information we have in this article.Ofcourse I would not support anybody to be unlawfully be detained,or punished. Let for a minute assume he committed a serious offense. Would your position change?
Tell me exactly what God should do?
You didn't know? He has been a Self-confessed atheist Again and Again.
The so called Kenyan embassies are a big joke. Employees there behave just like Kenyans in Nairobi. You don't matter.
Exactly. That's why I called them WHITE Elephants. And Moi knew well How to Use them. If he Saw you as an Obstacle in Any way: He sent you there as an Ambassador or High Commission. A good Example is Sally Kosgei's husband. Moi is Enjoying life with Sally Kosgei in Nairobi, while her Husband is "Languishing" in some "Embassy" out there.
Kenyan Embassy in Washington DC should be closed and staff either re-trained or fired. Customer service should be drilled into these thick scalps.
You nailed it. All these WHITE Elephants know is Idle, Idle, IDLE from Monday-Friday and Party, Party, PARTY on Weekends or on Kenya holidays like Madaraka, Jamhuri, Moi, Labor, Christmas, etc.
I am not sure why most of the kenya embassy staff are sent directly from Kenya. They have no experience living in America or any other country. The staff have never lived inn those countries they are sent to work. They have never tried to earn a living on their own in a foreign country.
The embassy jobs are given to politicians sons and daughters eg June Ruto who have no clue how Kenyans make ends meet in foreign countries. We get these dummies sent to help us but they just don’t know their job description except that “oh I’m now working at the embassy in America and I am a hot shot”!
The embassy job is a status symbol for the embassy staff but they do not have an idea how to deal with a situation like the one this athlete is experiencing in Mexico. The staff does not have any knowledge who to call to negotiate on behalf of the jailed Kenyan in Mexico.
I say let’s shut all the embassies down and rethink what kind of employees that should be hired in these embassies.
Correct. They've know Clue.
I disagree with those saying the Embassy in DC needs to be shutdown. That consulate is very professional. That staff works hard to serve Kenyans in diaspora. Most people who run into issues at the embassy do so because they expect to go pay bribes or cut corners.
Embasi ya pumbavu za tumbo kubwa kali Yao is eating and drinking. What a shame can’t even help out citizens.
You Know it. They're DRUNKS of the Highest order; typical Kenyans abroad with the Nubians (Sudanese) as Runners-up (as in DRINKING Competition).
The embassy staff are arrogant and have a chip on their shoulders because the government is flipping every bill for them including the alcohol, while other Kenyans are toiling to earn a living in foreign countries.
The only way to override the embassy is by becoming a citizen of whatever country to make sure that you will never need to deal with a Kenyan embassy any where in this world. The embassy staff is rude and self conceited. They do not care about the plight of Kenyans within their jurisdiction.
These embassies cost Kenyan tax payers huge amounts of money to keep them afloat. They should all be shut down to save us money and send all the staff back to kenya.
Most of these embassy personnel are not appointed based on merit but patronage. I heard a few weeks ago that the former MP for Dagoretti Dennis Waweru was being considered for an ambassadorship in the DRC. Rewards for supporting BBI. Bure kabisa.
And most of those considered to take embassy jobs have no relevant education because they have stolen degrees to understand the job description of working in an Embassy in a foreign country. They are there to serve themselves and nothing more.
Poorly disorganized embassy staff with corrupt minds and adjudication. Same problem different answers depending on whom you get and what the person sees on you. More concerned with NOT packing next to the embassy designated area than offering service and leaving in peace. I concur that these guys at the Kenyan Embassy need retraining and some sense of urgency in dealing with peoples problems. Shenzi Sana
Kenya Embassy in Washington DC. Nobody picks the phone.
I have issues with all who are blaming Kenyan embassies for their inefficiencies , corruption,unqualified,and lackadaisical staff.
My concern is why some are bringing God it to play. To me it sounds like a human problem,that has nothing to do with God.He gave us brains,and wants us to put that brain to good use.Infact we do not even have to call on God. He knows,and sees everything his children do. And I would argue that ,this fellow's suffering could be part of his divine plan... suffer here on earth for great rewards waits you in paradise.RIght?
I have NO issues with all who are blaming Kenyan embassies for their inefficiencies , corruption,unqualified,and lackadaisical staff.
My concern is why some are bringing God it to play. To me it sounds like a human problem,that has nothing to do with God.He gave us brains,and wants us to put that brain to good use.Infact we do not even have to call on God. He knows,and sees everything his children do. And I would argue that ,this fellow's suffering could be part of his divine plan... suffer here on earth for great rewards waits you in paradise.RIght?