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Kenyans and the international community will bid farewell to Kelvin Kiptum, the World Marathon record holder, on Friday as he is laid to rest in his hometown of Uasin Gishu.
The funeral service, set for Friday at Chepsamo Secondary School grounds, anticipates the attendance of President William Ruto.
Kiptum, who tragically lost his life in a car accident on February 11, 2024, along the Eldama Ravine-Eldoret road with his coach Gervais Hakizimana, shocked the world and athletic communities.
Government pathologist Johansen Oduor’s post-mortem results revealed that Kiptum died from severe head trauma sustained during the crash.
Eldoret town residents held a night vigil in honor of Kiptum on Thursday, with hundreds lighting candles and using mobile phone torches to commemorate the marathon hero.
Kiptum’s body was transferred from Eldoret Hospital mortuary on Thursday, followed by a cortège procession covering 80km from Eldoret Town to Iten, a significant stage for this final marathon.
As the hearse moved through the town, residents lined the streets to bid farewell to their son, while a solemn escort of athletes who trained alongside Kiptum accompanied the procession.
Following this, a prayer service was held at ACK Chepkorio.
President Ruto eulogized Kiptum as a star, praising his extraordinary accomplishments in breaking marathon records around the world.
“At just 24, Kiptum was a hero who triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London, and other top competitions,” noted the President, mourning the loss of this promising athlete.
