NAIROBI, Kenya – Following the tragic death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, Kenyan President William Ruto has taken swift action to honor the late athlete by sending engineers to build a three-bedroom house at Kiptum’s farm in the Rift Valley, where he had planned to construct a home for his family before his untimely death in a road accident.
Kiptum, who had been planning to attempt to become the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, was killed in the accident along with his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana. The news of his passing shook Kenya and the world of athletics, leaving many grieving the loss of a promising young talent.
The decision by President Ruto to have a house built for the late athlete’s family reflects a strong sense of honor and remembrance for Kiptum’s contributions to the world of sports. It is a gesture of compassion and support for the family that Kiptum left behind following his tragic death.
Work on the three-bedroom house has already commenced, with three engineers being supervised by senior government officials, according to a family spokesperson. The hope is that the house will be completed by the end of the 40-day mourning period, in time for Kiptum’s funeral, which is due to take place on 24 February.
In the meantime, Kiptum’s father has raised concerns about his son’s accident, calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. According to local media reports, four unidentified men had visited Kiptum days before the accident, prompting further questions and calls for clarity on what led to the fatal crash.
The decision to address this tragic loss with a compassionate response from the government and the ongoing investigation into the accident underscores the impact of Kiptum’s life and the significance of his contributions to the world of athletics. While his passing has left a void, the gesture from the government and the continued search for answers offer some solace to those grieving his loss.