In the aftermath of the tragic demise of marathoner Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hazikimana in a fatal accident, a poignant twist unfolded as new information emerged regarding Kiptum’s family dynamics.
Initially perceived to be the sole offspring of his parents, Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Chepkiyeng, it is now coming to light that Kiptum has a sister named Rodah Chemutai.
Addressing the media on February 12, 2024, just hours after Kelvin Kiptum’s untimely death, Mr. Samson Cheruiyot asserted that Kiptum was his only child. Expressing profound grief, he stated, “Let me tell you. Kiptum was my only child. Just him. Now he has left me behind, his wife, and his children. I have no other child. My wife had a little problem, and the hospital just told us to stay like that. I agreed, and we made peace with that. Right now, I don’t know what to say. I am looking at his children, and I don’t know what I will do – and my son is gone,” lamented a heartbroken Mr. Cheruiyot.
However, as the preparations for Kiptum’s funeral unfolded and his obituary was published in a national daily newspaper, an unexpected revelation surfaced. Contrary to the earlier assertions, the obituary disclosed that Kiptum was not an only child but the cherished firstborn, alongside his sister, Rodah Chemutai.
“Kelvin was the beloved firstborn child of Mr. Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Chepkiyeng. The late Kelvin was the husband of Asenath Cheruto Rotich. They were blessed with two children, namely Caleb Kigen and Precious Cherop. He was the brother of Rodah Chemutai,” read the comprehensive obituary.
Beyond the disclosure of a sibling, additional complexities have arisen since the tragic passing of the World Record marathon breaker Kelvin Kiptum.
On Thursday, the High Court in Eldoret declined to issue an order halting Kelvin Kiptum’s burial after a 22-year-old woman, Edna Awuor Otieno, claimed to have fathered a baby girl aged one year and seven months.
Edna sought legal recognition for herself and her child as beneficiaries of Kiptum’s estate, sparking a legal battle that attracted significant attention.
In her application before Magistrate Robert Wananda, Edna sought an order to suspend Kiptum’s burial until their claims were acknowledged. She also requested DNA testing to determine the paternity of her child. Edna argued that her daughter is Kiptum’s biological offspring and, therefore, entitled to inherit from his considerable estate.
However, she expressed frustration that Kiptum’s family had refused to acknowledge them, even excluding the child’s name from funeral arrangements and the eulogy.
Edna’s lawyer, Joseph Ayaro, stressed the importance of DNA testing to verify paternity, a crucial aspect in determining inheritance rights. He argued that denying Edna and her daughter recognition would be a violation of their rights and urged the court to intervene in the matter.
Nonetheless, Magistrate Wananda dismissed Edna’s application, citing the advanced stage of burial preparations and the public interest in the matter. He expressed concerns that halting the burial could cause disruptions, considering the resources already invested in the arrangements.
