Kiptum’s Legacy in Peril as His Parents Beg for School Fees Two Years After the Marathon Star’s Tragic Death

Two years after Kelvin Kiptum’s sudden death, his parents are still living with pain. But now, the grief has turned into a daily struggle for survival. In their quiet home in Kaptagat, Mzee Samson Cheruiyot and his wife are facing a new burden. They are raising their grandson. They are also struggling to pay his school fees. The boy is Kiptum’s child. His future is now uncertain. The family says promises made after the athlete’s death have not been honoured.

Standing beside their son’s grave, the couple says they feel forgotten. The resting place is still unfinished. The soil is loose. Grass grows unevenly. They say it should not look this way for a world record holder. Mzee Cheruiyot says the family was left out of many plans. He says people came after the burial. They spoke big words. They left. He says no one returned. The pain has only grown with time.

The parents also say they have reached out for help. They say calls and messages have gone unanswered. They say they sent the child’s school details. They hoped support would come. It did not. “We are suffering,” Mzee Cheruiyot said. “We have a child to take care of. We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for school fees.” He said the family now depends on small farming. He said it is not enough.

They also say the child needs stability. They want him to grow with dignity. They want him to know his father’s legacy. But without fees, that dream is fading. The grandparents fear he could be sent home. They fear he could fall behind. They say this would hurt Kiptum’s memory.

Kelvin Kiptum was not just a runner. He was hope. He was pride for Kenya. He inspired many young athletes. Now his own child is in need. The parents say this should not happen. They believe the nation should remember him. They believe those who benefited from his success should also act.

For now, they wait. They still pray. They still hope someone will listen. They say they do not want pity. They want fairness. They want their grandson to stay in school. They say that would be the true honour to their son.