Former National Olympics Committee-Kenya (NOCK) boss Charles Mukora died on Thursday (December 27) after succumbing to a long illness.

The 83-year-old was one of the pioneer athletics coaches in the country and boasted having worked with Kenya’s best runners during his tenure, among them, retired Kenyan track and field athlete Kipchoge Keino.

Former NOCK Executive Officer Stephen Soi, who announced Mukora’s death sympathized with his family.

"It is with deep sorrow and regrets that death as once again robbed Kenya of a long time sports administrator Hon. Charles Mukora which occurred a while ago. Let us join hands in condoling the family of late Hon Charles Mukora,” said Soi.

NOCK President Paul Tergat took time to describe Mukora as one of the people who placed Kenya among the elites in the Olympic movement.

“Charles was one of the founding pillars of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) and his tenure saw Kenya firmly established in the global Olympic movement,” Tergat said.