There has been a dark time of mourning in Kenya, because the endurance running superstar, the marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum died in his home country in a car accident late on Sunday, February 11.
The accident happened in an area considered to be a paradise for endurance runners, on a mountainous road between the cities of Kaptagati and Eldoret in Western Kenya.
In addition to the 24-year-old Kiptum, his coach also died in the accident Gervais as Hakizima. The third person on board, a 24-year-old woman, was seriously injured.
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Kiptum lost control of the car. The car derailed into a ditch and traveled along it for 60 meters until it hit a large tree. According to Reuters, Kiptum died of his injuries.
Kiptum only managed to run three marathons, all of which are among the seven fastest marathon times of all time. Last October, Kiptum ran a ME time of 2:00:35 in Chicago. He became the first under 2.01 in an official competition.
It was widely expected that Kiptum would break the two-hour ghost mark in an official race in 2024. In addition, two Kenyan stars, Kiptum and the former ME man, were expected to experience the Paris Olympic marathon Eliud Kipchogen gaping at nothing.
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Funeral procession and massive funeral arrangements
Kiptum’s funeral will be held on Friday, February 23. He will be executed in Chepkorio, Elgeyo-Marakweti County.
During Thursday, hundreds, if not thousands, of mourners accompanied Kiptum on his last journey. The group also included the 1,500 meter world record holder, multiple World Cup and Olympic champion of the distance Faith Kipyegon.
Kiptum’s coffin was transported from the mortuary in the western Kenyan city of Eldoret to his hometown of Chepsamo. The length of the trip was 80 kilometers.
The Kenyans gathered there sang hymns and held each other’s hands. On the way, Kiptum’s casket was also opened so that the locals could say goodbye to their running hero.
Kiptum is survived by his wife and 7- and 4-year-old children. The grief-stricken relatives had previously appealed to the Kenyan government to get help for their family. President of Kenya William Ruto has decided that a house will be built for the family.
The funeral will also be a “massive hit†, the media write. They are held at the local school. For example, President Ruto and the chairman of the International Athletics Federation will arrive Sebastian Coe.
Kiptum is buried on the plot of land he had bought to build a home for his family. On the plot in question, the Kenyan government will build a house for Kiptum’s widow and a separate house for Kiptum’s parents.
Request to postpone the funeral
Before the funeral, there has also been a special uproar in Kenya, the African media write Nation and NTV Kenya.
A 22-year-old woman has tried to stop the funeral arrangements, claiming that Kiptum is the father of her 1.5-year-old daughter. According to the woman, she is entitled to a share of Kiptum’s inheritance.
The woman had submitted an application to the court in Eldoret that the funeral should be delayed until the necessary parties have been consulted and the DNA tests done.
However, the Nairobi Supreme Court accepted the woman’s request, so the funeral will be held as planned on Friday.
According to the woman, Kiptum has previously paid her and her daughter monetary compensation.
– The deceased recognized me and my daughter and took good care of us as part of the family until the accident two weeks ago, the woman commented.
The court considers that the planning of the grand funeral has already progressed so far that it cannot be canceled. According to the court, there are other ways to get information about alleged family relationships.
– This provision therefore does not limit the interest of the minor. The mother of the minor is free to use other legal means to ensure that the child’s rights are taken care of, the judge answered.
The grief of loved ones
Kiptum himself grew up in a poor farming family. He started running directly on roads because he couldn’t afford to travel to areas with athletic fields. In his first major competition in 2018, Kiptum also participated in flat shoes.
Kiptum’s mother Mary Kangongo and a widow Asenath Rotich described Kiptum on the BBC to be a humble and joking person.
– He was a humble boy. You would never have guessed that he was a world record holder who had made money. He always helped and supported the community, Kangongo said.
As is customary with Kenyans, Kiptum spent weeks at the training centre. For the weekends, he returned home to his family.
– I remember him best for his jokes… He was a loving and caring man, Rotich mourned.
People close to Kiptum sometimes wondered about the man’s wild training, but he replied that by running he makes the lives of those close to him better. In addition to that, Kiptum helped other athletes and schoolchildren in the area, for example, by getting equipment and food.
– Without Kiptum, my life would have been different. I could have been in the village drinking alcohol and doing other vices, said the 23-year-old runner Henry Kipyego.