Elgeyo Marakwet Police Officers have confirmed that world Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his Rwandan Coach Gervais Hakizimana died as a result of a normal traffic road accident.
Keiyo South OCPD Abdullahi Dahir explained that Kiptum’s vehicle veered off the road from the left side to the trench where it crashed.
According to Dahir, preliminary investigations showed that the vehicle might have been speeding when the accident occurred.
“A vehicle which is at manageable speed can break in my understanding, somebody can apply breaks and it stops. That is why we suspect it was over speeding,” said Dahir.
Kelvin Kiptum Car
He further said the review of the accident scene and the Toyota Premier vehicle involved in the accident showed that the front part is intact, and the airbags did not deploy.
“The sensor to the airbag normally is at the front and if there were no impacts on the front part of the vehicle the airbags could not blow. The impact is on the top of the car,” said Dahir.
The OCPD also stated that they widened their probe into claims that four unknown men followed Kiptum before his untimely death.
Sharon Kosgei who survived the accident is also expected to help police recreate events leading up to the death of the athlete and his Rwandese Coach.
“I’m taking the people from the DCI of Keiyo South to go and get more details and record statement and of course open an inquiry to that effect and we see where it can lead us,” added the OCPD.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum: A Star Flickered Away, a Legacy Nipped in the Bud
MPs Demands
The Members of Parliament (MPs) demanded that thorough investigations be done to ascertain the individuals alleged to have visited Kiptum’s home in unclear circumstances.
“Having listened to what his father said, I think there should be a thorough investigation to what actually caused the accident,” said Phelix Odiwuor aka Jalang’o, MP Lang’ata.
Keiyo South MP Gidion Kimaiyo called on Sports CS Ababu Namwamba to take the lives of all athletes seriously.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum: Father Recounts Son’s Last Moments & Visit by Detectives
Other than Kiptum, Kimaiyo recalled some other young athletes who died under mysterious circumstances, but the ministry took no action.
“As we mourn the death of Kevin, some actions must be taken by the Sports Ministry, we remember the death of Wanjiru, who was a promising who died at the age of 24 just like Kelvin. We call on the ministry that they must take our athletes seriously,” he said.
Nominated MP Irene Mayaka asked Kenyan to stop spreading rumors and jumping into conclusions around Kiptum’s death.
Senators called for the consideration of the welfare of sports men and women.
