President William Ruto has ordered the construction of a new house for the late Kelvin Kiptum’s parents at his rural home in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The head of state gave orders that the house must be ready before the late world marathon record holder is laid to rest.
Engineers sent by Ruto visited Kiptum’s family on Thursday, February 15 to initiate the construction of a 3-bedroomed house that has to be ready before he is buried on the 24th of February.
The President said he wants to be in that house before the late Kiptum is sent off as a hero.
President Ruto led the Cabinet in honoring the late marathon world record-holder during a Cabinet meeting held on February 14, 2024.
According to State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the Cabinet held a minute of silence in remembrance of the late Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana.
“Cabinet meeting underway at State House Nairobi, with President William Ruto leading Cabinet secretaries in honoring the late marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, by observing a one-minute silence,” said Mohamed in a statement.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports is expected to take charge of the burial in consultation with the family.
Sport cabinet secretary Ababu Namwamba said Kiptum was a national hero who “will be honored in death as he was in life”.
Ruto mourns Kiptum
Ruto was among the leaders in the country who mourned the late Kiptum following his tragic demise.
The head of state in his tribute labelled him as a star and arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure his marathon record.
Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge Mourns Kelvin Kiptum
“An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace, ” said President Ruto.
Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a grisly road accident along Eldoret-Kaptagat road on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
The late world marathon record holder’s family and traffic base commandant Dennis Muga confirmed the demise of the two.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum-From Humble Beginnings to Breaking World Record
“The accident happened around 11pm. The car had three occupants, two died on the spot while one was taken to hospital,” said Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge.
He died at only 24 having triumphed in the Valencia, Chicago, and London marathons and was the holder of the world marathon record after World Athletics rattified his win in the Chicago Marathon.
His family revealed that the 24-year-old runner will be laid to rest in his hometown of Chepkorio in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
