Kenya's legendary boxer Murunga dies

Kenya's legendary boxer Richard Murunga is dead.

The 65-year-old Murunga, who won bronze for Kenya in welterweight at the 1972 Munich Olympics, died on Friday evening while under going treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital where he was admitted early this week.

Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) chairman Reuben Ndolo paid tribute to Murunga saying he was among the first professional boxer in the country, having also been one of the founding members of KPBC in 1983.

"We have lost a legend and how I wish we could have done more for him as a country," said Ndolo, in his message of condolences to Murunga's family and the boxing fraternity.

Murunga started boxing in 1968 at the age of 19 after being inspired by his father Ernest Illuk.

Two years later, he joined Kenya Defence Forces where he left in 1973 after allegedly deserting the disciplined forces.

Murunga is survived by two wives, Mirriam Wambui and Nawal Ahmed, and seven children.

Murunga had been confined to a wheelchair for many years.