Kenya's top athletes say their lives in danger

By Jack Oyoo

NAIROBI (Reuters) - More than 50 of Kenya's top athletes say their lives are in danger because of accusations by the security forces that they are funding post-election violence in the volatile Rift Valley province.

Former three-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion Moses Kiptanui and 2004 Olympics steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboiwas are among 57 athletes to have signed a statement saying they fear for their lives following the accusations.

"We are being accused of purchasing and transporting guns, bows, arrows and other weapons used in the post-election violence," Kiptanui, who won steeplechase titles in 1991, 1993 and 1995, told reporters.

"We cannot use resources that were painfully and hard-earned in unlawful and illegal activities," he said.

Kitale West District Commissioner, Seif Matata, told reporters he had received the complaints from the athletes but could not yet comment further on their veracity.

"The athletes have reported the case. Investigations are ongoing," he said. Other government officials could not be reached for comment.

The athletes said security agents had been trailing them.

"Some security officers threatened to kill some of us, employees, agents and servants," Kiptanui said.