The burial of international marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum faced a legal challenge in Eldoret’s High Court when a 22-year-old woman, Edna Awuor Otieno, asserted that she had a one-year-and-seven-month-old daughter with the late athlete. Seeking legal recognition for herself and her child as beneficiaries of Kiptum’s estate, Edna’s quest led to a notable legal dispute.
Presenting her case before Magistrate Robert Wananda, Edna appealed for an order to postpone Kiptum’s burial until their claims were acknowledged. She additionally requested DNA testing to establish her child’s paternity, contending that the one-year-old girl was Kiptum’s biological offspring and entitled to inherit from his substantial estate.
Edna expressed frustration at the apparent refusal of acknowledgment by Kiptum’s family, with the child’s name being excluded from funeral arrangements and the eulogy.
Highlighting the significance of DNA testing in verifying paternity for inheritance rights, Edna’s lawyer, Joseph Ayaro, argued that denying recognition to Edna and her daughter would constitute a violation of their rights. He urged the court to intervene in the matter.
Despite Ayaro’s arguments, Magistrate Wananda dismissed Edna’s application, citing the advanced stage of burial preparations and the public interest in the case. He voiced concerns that interrupting the burial could lead to disruptions, given the resources already invested in the arrangements.
Notwithstanding the setback, Wananda reassured Edna that alternative legal avenues were available to establish her child’s paternity and secure her rights as a beneficiary. He emphasized that the court’s decision did not preclude Edna from pursuing other legal remedies to safeguard her interests and those of her daughter.
Subsequent to the court’s ruling, Edna’s lawyer expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome and conveyed intentions to explore other legal options.
