Gone too soon: Tributes pour in for Gor Mahia legend Caesar Handa
By Cecil OdongoGor Mahia legend Caesar Handa has been eulogised as a dedicated footballer and a sports columnist whose interaction with many left a positive mark on their lives.
Handa who was full of life on Tuesday night, passed on at Nairobi Hospital on Wednesday, January 17, at 4 am after falling at his house in Kileleshwa Nairobi.
According to his brother Ben Handa, the deceased was not ailing and that is why his death has shocked many including close friends who were with him on January 16.
“My brother’s death has shocked us as a family as he was also not sick. He played golf at Royal Nairobi Golf Club and even watched the African Cup of Nation game between Tunisia and Namibia where he even posted on Meta (Facebook) that he was supporting Namibia,” Ben told Nairobi News.
“As a family it has hit us but it is God’s will and we thank him for the life my brother lived,” he added
The late Handa was 59 years old and turned out for Gor in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992. He studied at the University of Nairobi (1987- 1989) and went for his masters at Missouri University in the United States in 1995-1997.
Handa was also a sports columnist with the Standard Newspaper and owned Strategic Research and Public Relations Company in Nairobi which majored in research on politics and opinion polls.
He was also the Chairman of the Referees Committee under the Football Kenya Federation Transition Committee in 2022 when Amina Mohamed was the Cabinet Secretary for Sports. He was also the Secretary of Gor Mahia Legends Welfare Group.
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ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo led Kenyans in mourning Handa saying he was a role model, an opinion shaper, and a leader in various aspects of life.
Owalo revealed that two days ago he engaged Handa in a detailed discussion about utilizing drones for last-mile e-commerce deliveries for the Postal Corporation of Kenya.
“Most recently, we worked together on the establishment and operationalization of the Gor Mahia Legends’ Welfare Sustainability Fund. Caesar consistently proved to be a dependable friend and an elder brother, offering guidance and advice, as needed throughout the years,” said Owalo.
Gor Mahia legend Austin Oduor who played together with Handa said he joined Gor when there was a strong squad was strong. Oduor said Handa was a good midfielder and couldn’t get more minutes because many players in the squad then were at their peak.
“He was a gentleman who deserved to live longer. His demise came when we needed him most as he was also the secretary general of our association. Let his soul rest in eternal peace,” said Oduor.
Others who eulogised Handa were former Kenya Police coach John Bobby Ogolla, ex-player Mike Otieno, Radio host Joseph Ogidi among other former players and coaches.
The late who hails from Barchando village in Bondo Sub County, Siaya County is survived by a wife and five children.