Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-21 21:54:03
The government of Kenya has made a generous donation of Ksh5 million to the family of Gervais Hakizimana, the late coach of world record marathon holder Kelvin Kiptum. The announcement was made by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, who represented President William Ruto’s administration at Hakizimana’s funeral service in Rwanda. The purpose of the donation is to provide support to the deceased coach’s family during this difficult time. Additionally, the government has expressed its commitment to continue supporting the family as a gesture of appreciation for Hakizimana’s significant influence and sacrifices in propelling Kiptum into global stardom.
During the funeral service, CS Ababu Namwamba described Hakizimana as a talented coach and emphasized the impact of his tragic passing, alongside Kiptum, on the East African Community (EAC). The two were involved in a fatal road accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat Road on Sunday, February 11, which led to their untimely deaths. It was revealed that in the weeks leading to the accident, Hakizimana and Kiptum had spent a considerable amount of time together as the athlete prepared for the Rotterdam Marathon, with the goal of breaking his own world record.
The autopsy conducted on Kiptum’s body by Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor confirmed that the record holder succumbed to injuries sustained during the accident, specifically severe head injuries and skull fractures. Kiptum’s funeral is scheduled for Friday, February 23, and it will be attended by President William Ruto. In addition to the government’s financial support, experts have been dispatched to construct a three-bedroom house for Kiptum’s family, as part of the plan to honor and celebrate his legacy.
At the time of his tragic passing, Kiptum had aspirations of building a home for his wife and two children. The ongoing construction of the house is a testament to the government’s dedication to supporting the family of the late marathon holder. The generous donation and the construction of the house reflect the government’s commitment to providing assistance and recognizing the contributions of both Hakizimana and Kiptum to the sports community. The support extended to their families during this challenging time demonstrates the government’s commitment to honoring their legacies and ensuring the well-being of their loved ones.
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