Naftali Temu, 60; Won Olympic Gold in 1968 in 10,000 Meters

Naftali Temu, 60, who won the 10,000 meters at the 1968 Summer Games to become Kenya’s first Olympic gold medalist, died Monday in Nairobi of complications from kidney disease.

The 10,000 was the first track and field event decided at the Mexico City Olympics. The top three places went to Africans, with Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia winning the silver and Mohamed Gammoudi of Tunisia taking the bronze.

Temu was one of three Kenyan gold medalists at the Mexico City Olympics. Amos Biwott won the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Kipchoge Keino won the gold medal in the 1,500 meters and the silver in the 5,000.

A member of the Kisii tribe, Temu was born in Nyamira, Kenya. He retired from active athletics in 1973 and put his energy into coaching Kenyan youths.

He also became a farmer, working his 40-acre spread in North Mugirango, Kenya, which was a present from Kenyan President Jomo Kenyatta in appreciation of his achievements in athletics.