High Court Declines Request To Stop Kelvin Kiptum’s Burial

Headlines of the world record marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Hakizimana Gervais’s death came as a surprise to the world last week. The 24-year-old and his coach died in a road accident late in the night at the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road.

Hakizimana was laid to rest on Wednesday at Rusororo cemetery. His funeral service started on Tuesday and was concluded on Wednesday back in Kigali, Rwanda.

A 22-year-old woman claiming to be the mother of Kiptum’s one-and-a-half-year-old child went to court to request for the body of the athlete to be held at the Eldoret Hospital mortuary. Edna Owuor through her lawyer Joseph Oyaro is requesting DNA.

They want the body of Kiptum to be presented to the Kenya Medical Research Institute to determine the child’s paternity. She also demanded that the child be a beneficiary of Kiptum’s estate and claimed they had been left out of the family arrangements.

This morning at 9:00 am the body of the late Kelvin Kiptum left the Eldoret hospital mortuary. Family and friends gathered as the end of the world marathon runner commenced. The procession will be held in Eldoret town.

Athletes also turned up this morning to witness the final journey of Kiptum. Among them include, Milcah Chemos, Moses Kiptanui, Amos Kipruto, Vivian Cheruiyot, and Janet Jepkosgei.

After that, the convoy will head to Iten, Kiptum’s hometown. This is where the church service will be held. Afterwards, the public will view the body of the late marathon runner. Kiptum will be laid to rest in his Naiberi home on Friday.

The burial ceremony will be attended by athletes, state dignitaries as well as President Ruto.