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Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, a celebrated mountaineer admired by many, was on the cusp of achieving a historic feat before tragedy struck.
His parents, who reside in Chepterit village, Nandi County, reminisced about their son's remarkable journey.
The doting parents highlighted his passion for climbing, which began at a tender age.
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His father, Wilson Kenduywo, recalled their last conversations.
According to him, Kirui expressed his aspirations of becoming the first African to summit Mt Everest without supplemental oxygen.
"Three weeks ago, we talked. He called and asked if I could set up WhatsApp so we could communicate better," Kenduywo shared with NTV.
However, hopes turned to despair when Kirui's brother delivered the devastating news of his disappearance while summiting Mt Everest.
Ruth Kenduywo, Kirui's mother, recounted the agonising moments, clinging to the hope of his safe return as he embarked on the final stretch of his ascent.
Kirui's affinity for climbing dates back to his childhood, when he scaled trees in his parents' compound, a testament to his innate passion for adventure.
"He started by climbing trees. We had Cypress and Blue Gum trees in our compound, and he would climb to the top," his mother reminisced.
Despite the inherent risks, Kirui's family acknowledged his proficiency in mountaineering and commitment to safety measures.
"It was his hobby, and he felt successful because he had climbed many mountains around the world," his father affirmed.
Kirui's impressive mountaineering exploits included scaling Mt Kilimanjaro and venturing to the Alps, where he embarked on a challenging six-day climb.
His family anticipated his triumphs with pride, envisioning the recognition it would bring to Kenya on the global stage.
"It would have brought great recognition to the country because he would have proudly said he was from Kenya," expressed Kenduywo.
"I believe he was the only Kenyan aiming to bring such honor to our nation," he added.
While getting fixated on his plan to scale without supplemental oxygen, Kirui admitted it was a risky business.
He was alive to the fact that most mountaineers who had embraced the no-oxygen challenge did not end it alive.
Still insisting on the climb, Kirui was aware he suffered from High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), which would be worsened by the ascension to higher altitudes.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
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Cheruiyot Kirui's parents have shared their memeries of his younger days when he starteted to show intrets in climbing.
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