The venue for KIptum’s burial changes after strong winds witnessed.
The venue for World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum funeral service has been moved to the Chepkorio show grounds in Keiyo South after strong winds buffeted the Chepsamo venue, occasioning damage to property on Thursday.
The organisers told the media that the venue had been changed due to strong winds.
Several photos seen on social media showed the extent of damage after strong winds blew off the tents that had been erected, with some smashing into parked cars.
Photos showed at least two cars with extensive damage; one with a smashed windscreen and frontal bonnet damage, while another had damage to the body. Meanwhile, all is set for Kiptum’s internment at his farm in Naiberi.
The world record holder was killed in a road crash on February 11, 2024, alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
Among those expected to grace his final send-off include President William Ruto, state dignitaries, and dignitaries in the athletics profession.
Eldoret woman comes out saying she sired a child with kiptum ,she proceeds to the court to stop the burial but the court declines.
Kelvin Kiptum: Woman Claiming to Be Late Marathoner’s Lover Wants to be Beneficiary of his wealth Kelvin Kiptum Was Not a Deadbeat Father, Woman Who Wants To Stop Athlete’s Burial Says and proceeds to court but the court declined it because of unclear circumstances.
Kelvin Kiptum is set to be buried at his recently acquired farm in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu county on Friday, February 23 Twenty-two-year-old Edna Owuor, who claimed the athlete sired a baby with her, went to court seeking to stop the athlete’s burial.
The court declined her request, and Kiptum’s burial is expected to go on as earlier planned by the state and family.As Kenyans and the world continue to pay their last tributes to marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, a woman in Eldoret has opened up about her relationship with the fallen athlete.
Edna Owuor had filed a suit seeking to stop the burial of Kelvin Kiptum until a minor she alleged the athlete sired with her was recognised.
According to the calm and collected lady, they spent lots of time with the athlete until she was about to give birth and had to move to her parent’s home to find help taking care of the newborn. “We used to stay with him, but I returned to my parents’ home to get help tending to the child. I wanted the court to help the baby get recognised so that they can continue getting support like the athlete’s other children,” Owuor explained.
Details about Kelvin Kiptum’s burial plans
The athlete’s body was moved from Eldoret Hospital mortuary on Thursday, February 22, and taken to Iten Grounds for public viewing. His body is set to be interred at his recently acquired four-acre parcel of land in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu county.
President William Ruto had ordered the construction of a three-bedroom house for the athlete who put Kenya on the world map.
Kelvin Kiptum’s Mother Eulogises Him, Says She Was Hospitalised After Learning About His Death.
Kelvin Kiptum’s mother Mary Kangongo, has eulogised the deceased athlete as a simple, humble boy who always helped and supported the community She disclosed that the two spoke on the night of his death, and he asked her to support Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final “The moment I received news that my son was dead, I was admitted to hospital for several days,” the grieving mother said .
According to the grief-stricken mother, the fast-rising athlete was a jovial man fond of making jokes. In an interview with BBC, Mary disclosed that she spoke to her son on the night of his death, and he was joking about the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The match the two were discussing pit the hosts Ivory Coast against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, with the former emerging victorious. “He told me that I should support Nigeria, but I told him I wouldn’t be watching football as it was on too late,” she recalled. She eulogised him as a simple, humble boy who always helped and supported the community.
“You’d never know he was a world record holder who had made some money,” she added. Mary revealed that the moment she received the tragic news, she was admitted to hospital for several days. Kiptum leaves behind a widow, Asenath Rotich, and two children; a seven-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter.
Meanwhile, there was drama when a woman moved to court claiming to be the late marathoner’s baby mama. The 22-year-old named Edna Awuor Otieno claimed that before Kiptum died, he provided for their daughter, who is one year and seven months old. READ ALSO Lady Claiming to Be Kelvin Kiptum’s Baby Mama Says He Called Her on Fateful Night: “Alisema Anakuja” Ms Otieno maintained that she wants the baby included in the eulogy and recognized as a beneficiary of the athlete’s estate.
An Eldoret court, however, refused to grant her request to postpone the athlete’s burial until DNA is done, citing public interest.
Kelvin Kiptum’s Father Overcome with Grief Moves Kenyans.
Among the family members was Samson, who held onto his grandson, Kigen Kiptum’s hand tightly. The old man, who was smartly dressed in a light blue suit, was almost in tears, and relatives were seen consoling him.
As the body was being taken to Iten Grounds for viewing, Samson was pictured supporting his head while seated on the passenger seat of the hearse.
“Painful Is Understatement” Thursday,Samson Cheruiyot, the father of deceased marathon champion Kelvin Kiptum, was pictured struggling to hold back tears .
The distraught father sat in the passenger seat of the Range Rover limousine that carried the marathoner’s body from Eldoret Hospital Mortuary Most Kenyans sympathised with the father, who looked lost for words as he held tight to his grandson Kigen Kiptum.
He is living every parent’s nightmare with the demise of his only child.
The following are the comments from Kenyan ls and their reactions.
Faith Kemboi: “It’s really hurts. Dear God, grant this gentleman peace on this difficult moment of his life. Oyeee ngwaaan.
” Dixon Singoei: “Sad, praying that he finds peace and strength to walk through this unfortunate moment, mutyo.”
Ambillia Kosgei: “Oooh…God remember this family, they are in so much pain, give them peace from above .”
Justice: “I grieve with the father he was given one child, a boy, an heir and was plucked from him by an accident !! Mutyo orinyo muite, you loved him, but God loved him more go well, Kiptum.
” Eusila Tuwei: “This is the heaviest coffin for him, imagine an only childthank God he had a son,may God just comfort this family.”
Kenyans react to man spitting on Kiptum’s casket Here is what they had to say:
Silvano Ivan “In Kalenjin that’s a sign of blessings. He has blessed his generation even in his death”Nickson Kiptoo: “That’s how Kalenjin elders do. I used to wonder till my grandpa told me they believe it’s their norm to make peace with the dead.
“Winwendy Syombua: “He has blessed his son Even in the casket,the love of the father aki.”
Kiptum Road.
Meanwhile, a roadside memorial with a framed picture of the athlete stands on the main road about a few kilometres from Kiptum’s village.
The photo is nailed to the tree the sportsman rammed into with his car on Sunday, February 11. Under the tree are fresh flowers, with a board renaming the street “Kiptum Road” as a forever reminder of the talented man who died young.
