Kenya president orders house for late athlete Kelv...

Kenya president orders house for late athlete Kelvin Kiptum’s family

Kenyan President, William Ruto, has taken steps to honour the legacy of the late world marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum. Ruto has sent engineers to Kiptum’s residence with instructions to build a three-bedroom house.

Kiptum, who tragically lost his life in a road accident last Sunday, had planned to build a home for his family.

President Ruto’s office also denied local media speculation that there was a deadline for the house to be completed before Kiptum’s funeral next week.

Excavation work has commenced at the four-acre farm purchased by Kiptum. It is located approximately 16km from the family’s current residence in the Rift Valley.

The late athlete had intended to construct his family home on this property later in 2024.

Family spokesperson Philip Kiplagat told the BBC: “There are three engineers here who are being supervised by senior government officials.”

It is hoped that the house will be completed by the end of the 40-day mourning period. Kiptum’s funeral is set to take place on 24 February 2024.

**It is hoped that the house will be completed by the end of the 40-day mourning period. Image: Pixabay**

Kiptum, a 24-year-old father of two, lost his life when the vehicle he was driving veered into a ditch. His coach Gervais Hakizimana, from Rwanda, also died in the accident.

In the wake of Kiptum’s death, his father has called for an investigation, claiming that four unidentified men had visited Kelvin days before the accident.

According to local media, the suspects have been arrested and are in police custody for questioning.

Smashing world records

Kiptum’s passing has shocked Kenya and the world of athletics, occurring just four months after he broke the world marathon record.

Kiptum had been preparing to attempt to become the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, at the upcoming Rotterdam Marathon in April. – The South African