Samson Cheruyoit, the father of late athlete Kelvin Kiptum, has revealed some of the last moments he shared with his son before his death on Sunday, February 11.
Speaking to the media at his Elgeyo Marakwet home, the father – overwhelmed by the reality of his departed son, shared that he last heard from Kiptum on Saturday, February 10 night.
At the time, Cheruyoit recounted, Kiptum had promised to come home after some engagements at an area known as Fluorspar in the county.
Unknown to him, however, that was the last time he would hear from his only son.
The father then went on to narrate that they had a conversation with Kiptum about how a foreigner from his Begium-based management company named Golazo had offered to build the family a house and give them a car.
“On Saturday night we spoke, and he informed me that he would go to the Fluorspar and later come home,” Kiptum’s father recalled.
“Kiptum told me a white man had offered to build a house for us and buy a car for us. He also told me that his body was fit and felt capable of running a marathon in 1:59 time,” he added.
Cheruyoit would later receive information that his son’s car had been involved in an accident at Kaptagat area along Elgeyo Marakwet -Ravine Road.
Four Men Visit to Enquire About Kelvin Kiptum
In his interview, the father also raised concerns about some four people who reportedly visited their home four days before the accident.
According to him, the four of men claimed that they were sent to make enquiries about Kiptum but refused to disclose their identity.
Coming just four days before the tragic accident that claimed his son’s life, Cheruyoit urged authorities to investigate the death and turn of events including the motive of the men who visited his home.
He also revealed that Kiptum was his only son, noting that Kiptum’s mother developed some complications and hence could not bear more children.
While struggling to hold back his tears, Kiptum’s father asked the state to help him and his family amid the gap that has been left by their departed son.
Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge Mourns Kelvin Kiptum
According to his account, Kiptum dropped out of school and joined a polytechnic where he took a course in wiring (electrical technician).
He would later ditch the electrical course and made clear his intentions to pursue a career in athletics.
Until his death, Kiptum had won accolades including the Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2023 and also achieved the coveted feat of the World Marathon Record Holder.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum, World Marathon Record Holder is Dead
Kiptum’s Glorious Journey Cut Short
He was among the standout athletes expected to grace the 2024 Paris Olympics in July in what was expected to be a showdown between him and country man Eliud Kipchoge who is a two-time Olympics champion.
According to a police report, Kiptum was killed in a road accident at Kaptagat Forest area along the Eldoret -Ravine Road.
His saloon car veered off the road and landed on a roadside ditch and thereby died on the spot from the injuries sustained in the resulting impact.
Leaders and fellow athletes have since come out to eulogize the 24-year-old marathon record holder who was enroute to engraving his name in the history of world athletics.
