KELVIN KIPTUM BURIAL: KENYANS BID FAREWELL TO WORLD MARATHON RECORD HOLDER

On Friday, February 23, Kenyans alongside the global community come together to bid their last farewell to Kelvin Kiptum, the World Marathon record holder, as he was laid to rest in his hometown of Uasin Gishu. Kiptum and his Rwandese coach Garvais Hakizimana tragically lost their lives in a fatal accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat Road on February 11. 

According to the post-mortem examination conducted by government pathologist Johansen Oduor, the Marathon World Record holder succumbed to severe head injuries sustained in the car accident. On February 21, 2024, Namwamba paid his last respect to Hakizimana at his home in Rwanda following his untimely demise.

On October 2023, Kiptum was honoured for shattering the marathon world record.  “We were excitedly looking forward to his target of becoming the first human to do sub 2 hrs, and for his Olympics bow in Paris next summer. Indeed Kelvin was only getting started, and was destined to rule the world of elite marathon running for long. The cruel hand of death has robbed Kenya and the world a truly precious sporting gem. My deepest condolences to the family of Kelvin and the entire athletics & sporting fraternity. Rest well champion.” said CS Ababu.

Kiptum exploded onto the marathon scene October 8, 2023, when he stunned the world by smashing Kipchoge’s record. Kiptum shaved 34 seconds off Kipchoge’s time from Berlin 2022, with a time of 2:00:35, winning the Chicago marathon.