Kenyans across various platforms are raising questions about the whereabouts of Eliud Kipchoge, particularly after he was noticeably absent from the stage where Kenyan athletes were assembled to deliver their final condolences during the burial of the late world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum.
Critics analyzing Kipchoge’s actions pointed out his apparent omission of congratulations to Kiptum when the latter surpassed his record in the Chicago Marathon last October, completing it in 2:00:35.
Despite persistent inquiries from Kenyan netizens, Kipchoge’s social media accounts remained silent regarding Kiptum’s remarkable achievement. Nevertheless, Kipchoge did express his condolences to Kiptum’s family on the day of the tragic incident.
In a statement posted on X, Kipchoge expressed deep sorrow over the untimely passing of Kelvin Kiptum, acknowledging the young athlete’s potential for extraordinary accomplishments. Kiptum had broken Kipchoge’s world record by 34 seconds in October.
The anticipation of seeing Eliud Kipchoge, a revered figure in Kenyan marathon history, at the burial was met with disappointment as he was conspicuously absent. Speculation arose, fueled by the lack of photographic evidence to confirm whether he attended the funeral.
Kenyans voiced their thoughts on X, with Dan Nyagah questioning Kipchoge’s absence and expressing the expectation for him to lead fellow athletes in mourning the loss of their marathon champion. Sholla, on the other hand, defended Kipchoge, considering him a hero and expressing concern about the potential impact of the Kelvin Kiptum incident on his mental well-being.
Felix wondered why Kipchoge had not appeared at Kelvin Kiptum’s funeral and questioned the reason behind his absence. Alinur suggested that Kipchoge’s busy schedule might be a factor, urging Kenyans to understand the circumstances leading to his non-attendance at Kelvin Kiptum’s burial.
