”Kiptum was our future,” Kenyan President William Ruto mourned the Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, describing him as an extraordinary sportsman who has left an extraordinary mark in the globe.
Kiptum, died together with his Rwandese coach Garvis Hakizimana at around 11 pm at the Kaptagat area along Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road.
President Ruto described him as a star and one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record.
“He was only 24 yet, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and in other top competitions. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched.,” he stated.
“An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace.”
The Head of State is among leaders and prominent personalities across the globe who have sent their condolences following the shocking death of Kenyan world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum who died in a road accident last night.
First Lady Rachel Ruto also wrote on the same platform celebrating the champion for the outstanding achievements he made while dominating the marathon tracks.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe paid tribute to the Marathon world record holder saying Kiptum was “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy”.
Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba said Kenya has lost a special gem.
How Kiptum Died
The runner passed away on Sunday, February 11, at the age of 24 in his native Kenya, with his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, 37, also killed in the road accident near Kaptagat, an area in the south-west of the country used as a training base for distance runners.
According to Mail Online, a female passenger, Sharon Chepkemoi, 32, survived the incident after being taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
According to Kenneth Kimaiyo, one of the first responders at the crash site – via Nation, Kiptum’s body was found under the vehicle with the runner already dead, and Hakizimana still alive on a hill.
He said he saw a man on a motorbike helping Chepkemoi at the scene, who was screaming for help and taken to Sanvanis Dispensary before being transferred to MTRH.
‘’We tried to save the coach because he was still breathing, but he died immediately,’’ Kimaiyo, who added that he had known Kiptum for a long time because he would often visit his shop in Chepkorio, said.
‘’Kiptum was laying under the car with his seat belt ripped and he was already dead,’’ he revealed.
The newspaper adds that Kiptum lost control of his vehicle at Kaptagat area along the Eldama Ravine-Eldoret on his way back from Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County.
Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya, said the vehicle veered off the road into a ditch before hitting a big tree, 60 metres from the main road.
He said that the bodies were taken to the hospital for an autopsy which will begin after the families had been briefed and ‘all agreements are done’.
Tuwei added that the accident happened at 8pm GMT on Sunday, 11pm local time, and that the vehicle was ‘extensively damaged’ and towed to a local police station for ‘inspection and police further action.’
Police commander for Elgeyo Marakwet County in western Kenya Peter Mulinge confirmed that the two men that died ‘on the spot’ were Kiptum and Hakizimana, with Coe leading the tributes to the 24-year-old.
