Violeta Barasa is dead!! a great AFRICAN PLAYER

    Kenyans mourn the death of Volleyball Star Violet Baraza


    Nairobi, Kenya, February 14-: Tragedy has hit the volleyball family in Kenya following the death of volleyball star Violet Baraza who was a senior member of the national women volleyball team in the country.


    Popularly known to his teammates and friends as “Vio”, the former Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) player who is one of the best players of her generation in Africa passed on at Webuye Hospital in her rural home in Western Kenya on Monday while undergoing treatment.


    While leading the volleyball family in Kenya and the entire nation in mourning Baraza who is one of the longest serving members of the national women volleyball team, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) President Waithaka Kioni said her death is a great loss to volleyball not only in Kenya but in Africa as a continent.


    “Baraza was a very rare breed in terms of playing volleyball. Many are the occasions when she could win a match for her club and the national team when all seemed lost and the technical bench along with fans had surrendered,” said Kioni.


    The KVF President who was the brain child behind the dreaded Kenya Pipeline Company women volleyball club which has ruled the continent for many years said Baraza’s death has left a big gap in women volleyball in the country which will take a long time to fill.


    “On my own behalf, on behalf of KVF National Executive and on behalf of the volleyball family in Kenya I wish to send our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family, relatives and friends of Baraza. I call upon them to remain strong in grief and believe in God since we in KVF are with them at this trying moment,” said Kioni.


    Former KVF Secretary General Jacob Owiti who is a Member of Sports Commission in continental volleyball body CAVB said he was shocked to learn of Baraza’e death at a time when Kenya was gearing up for All Africa Games in Algeria and eyeing a slot during qualifications for next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.


    Owiti said he still remembers the many occasions when he led KVF officials in meeting Baraza at the airport when she was called for national duty. “The situation on the ground could be tense ahead of the tournament but once she landed Baraza would assure us that she has come and she was ready to face any opposition and indeed she would deliver,” recalls Owiti who is the Secretary General of regional volleyball body ECAVCO.


    Former Telkom Kenya and Baraza’s long time friend Dorcas Ndasaba who had a three months training stint with her in Japan in the 90s said the national team will never be the same again.


    “Baraza was an inspiration to all of us both on and off the court. Her death is a big blow not only to her family but to all of us who had the chance to play along with her at both club and national team level,” said Ndasaba.


    Kenya Commercial Bank women coach Paul Bitok and Jack Omukami who handles the bank’s men team along with David “Demosh” Lung’aho the former national team coach described Baraza’s death as a very unbearable loss while Sports Promoter Peter Kegode said volleyball fans will greatly miss her.


    At the time of her death, the 32 years old attacker was the only Kenyan player to have excelled professionally having played in Egypt, Romania and lately Greece. She represented the country at both Sydney and Athens Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004 respectively. She also played for the national team at All Africa Games level.



    By Jack Kwemba, From Nairobi Kenya