By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-02-23 14:24:58
The funeral of Kenya’s world marathon record-holder Kelvin Kiptum was held on Friday in the Rift Valley village of Chepkorio, the heartland of the nation’s athletics. Kiptum, a young father of two, tragically lost his life in a car crash on February 11, just months after setting a new marathon record in Chicago. The funeral was attended by top athletes, dignitaries, and hundreds of mourners who came to pay their respects to the young athlete who was born, trained, and passed away in the same region.
Among the attendees at the funeral were President William Ruto and World Athletics head Sebastian Coe. Kiptum’s wife, Asenath Rotich, delivered a tearful tribute to her late husband, expressing her disbelief at having to raise their children without him. The couple had plans for a wedding ceremony in April, which now will never come to fruition. Despite only participating in three marathons, Kiptum emerged victorious in all of them, setting some of the fastest times in history for the event.
Sebastian Coe mourned Kiptum’s death as a “cause of intense sadness” and praised the young athlete for his remarkable achievements in such a short span of time. The sudden loss of Kiptum has deeply impacted the Kenyan and global athletics community. President Ruto described Kiptum as the “future of athletics” and commended his resilience in the face of challenges.
Mourners arrived at the funeral venue early in the morning, some wearing black T-shirts with Kiptum’s image. The body was displayed in a casket on a red carpet, surrounded by floral tributes and hymns sung by a choir. Athletes such as Faith Kipyegon and David Rudisha paid their respects by kneeling in prayer near Kiptum’s casket and showering it with rose petals.
Neighbours remembered Kiptum as a generous and humble individual who supported education for children in his community. Despite his athletic achievements, Kiptum remained grounded and continued to engage in social activities with friends. A candlelight vigil was held in Nairobi, where mourners gathered to honor the memory of the promising athlete who had dreams of competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
After the funeral ceremony, Kiptum will be laid to rest near Eldoret, where a new home has been built for his family by the government. The circumstances of the car crash that took Kiptum’s life are still under investigation, with toxicology tests pending. Kiptum’s coach, Gervais Hakizimana, also lost his life in the accident and was laid to rest in Kigali.
Kelvin Kiptum’s legacy as a talented athlete and a compassionate individual will endure in the hearts of those who knew him. His untimely passing has left a void in the athletics community, but his accomplishments and spirit will be remembered for years to come.
