Kenya's former boxing champion Conjestina Achieng alias "Hands of Stone" is reported to have set ablaze her house in Gem Yala, Siaya County on Friday.
The boxing queen is reported to have cited frustrations and disappointments as reasons for her drastic actions amid concerns over he deteriorating health after falling from boxing glory.
Conjestina, born October,22, 1977 in Umiru village, has been battling mental illness for some time now and at one point, she was taken to Mathari Hospital by Ida Odinga for treatment.
Her plight came to light in 2011 when Conjestina’s father Clement Adalo appealed to Kenyans to help him take his daughter to hospital after she exhibited unusual behaviour.
The fifth born in a family of 10 had once set her boxing gear ablaze and disposed of all equipment in her gym, which she had opened in 2009.
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Her mental health challenges have adversely affected her career and personal life and seen her move from the most celebrated woman boxer in Kenya to struggling to eke a living.
According to Conjestina, in recent interviews, her frustrations chiefly emanated from the poor living and financial conditions she found herself in allegedly due to low pay in the sport.
Calls are rife yet again for well-wishers to come to the aid of the Kenya heroine, who represented Kenya on international boxing rings and won major international titles.
The single mother became the first African woman to hold an international title after beating Ugand’s Fiona Tugume to clinch the vacant WIBF Middleweight title but lost out in a controversial title fight to then WBC, and WBA Super middleweight Natascha Ragosina.