Athletics

State takes over Kelvin Kiptum's burial plans

Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum during a press conference after winning the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois, in a world record time of two hours and 35 seconds on October 8, 2023. (Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/ AFP)

By Mary Wambui | Monday, February 12, 2024

The marathoner died on Sunday night following an accident at Kaptagat Forest along Eldoret -Ravine road.

The government will take over funeral arrangements for the world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba confirmed on Monday.

"We shall make an official announcement on how we shall proceed with final respects for this hero," said the CS.

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He addressed the media on Kiptum's death at Talanta Plaza in Nairobi where he was accompanied by Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei.

The marathoner died on Sunday night following an accident at Kaptagat Forest along Eldoret -Ravine road.

The government's intervention will help ease the burden on Kiptum's father Samson Cheruiyot who told journalists earlier that his son's death had left the family with the burden of raising his two children.

He also revealed that the deceased had promised him to win more races and build him a house.

"Kiptum was my only child... His mom has been sick for a while. Right now, I'm deeply saddened," Cheruiyot told Citizen Digital on Monday even as he called for a thorough probe into the death. He cited a mysterious visit to the home by four men who were looking for Kiptum.

The news of his death shocked the Nation as it rekindled memories of many heroes who have perished in road accidents in the past including his colleagues in the sporting field.

"On my behalf, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kenya, we extend our sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy to the passing of Kiptum including his wife, parents and two children."

He described the scale of pain occasioned by the loss as of "un-imaginary magnitude" to the family, close friends and Kenyans at large.

"The passing of Kelvin has plunged us into a night of profound distress and sorrow. We mourn alongside his loved ones, recognizing the enormity of their loss and the pain they now endure. Our thoughts are with them during this unimaginably difficult time," added the CS.

The ministry received the tragic news of his death shortly after it happened at around 11 pm.

"We stayed up pretty much the whole night keeping track of the developments in Kaptagat, in Eldoret, in Iten and it has been the most distressful night for all of us," added the CS.

Kiptum was due to start his season at the Rotterdam Marathon in April this year, aiming to break the two-hour barrier for the marathon after breaking the world record of 2:00:35 in Chicago last year, beating great marathoner Eliud Kipchoge's record by 34 seconds.

In reaction to Kiptum's win at the time, Kipchoge said the great performance hadn't shocked him.

"I was not surprised about (Kiptum) breaking the world record. I was happy to see the record being broken because I have shown them the way," Kipchoge told journalists in Oviedo, Asturias.

Kiptum and Kipchoge's fans were looking forward to watching the two compete for gold in the Paris marathon later this year.