A close friend of a Kenyan climber who died on Mount Everest has emotionally hailed him as a hero.
James Muhia said Cheruiyot Kirui did not just wake up and decide to climb Everest but it took him time and dedication to prepare for it.
Muhia shared a photo with Kirui climbing the summit of Mt Manaslu to prepare for Everest.
Kirui’s friend said they achieved the feat without supplemental oxygen supply and Sherpa support.
Muhia said he had to pull out of the Mt Everest expedition due to personal reasons but he always trusted Kirui with his life.
“Cheruiyot AK did not just wake up and decide to head to Mt. Everest. This is him and myself at the summit of Mt. Manaslu (8163m) on 24th September 2023,”
“We climbed this mountain without supplemental oxygen and Sherpa support. It was a climb to prepare us for Mt. Everest. I was supposed to accompany him on this expedition but I pulled out 3 weeks to the expedition due to personal reasons. I trusted him with my life on Manaslu,” Muhia said.
Muhia added that Kirui had accomplished things he could only admire and would honour him for that.
“I did not have any doubts about Everest. He has accomplished things that I can only admire. Some I am sure I will never accomplish. As you air your opinions on risks and all, it’s important to remember who he is and what he has accomplished. We choose to honour him for who he is,” he said.
Kirui who is a banker with KCB went missing on Mt Everest on Wednesday, May 22 with his body found hours later.
He had gone missing together with his Sherpa guide.
The whereabouts of his Sherpa guide are still unknown.
