Following the tragic death of marathon record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, his father, Samson Cheruiyot, recently opened up about the profound impact of losing his only son on their family.
Cheruiyot shared the overwhelming grief and sense of emptiness they now experience, emphasizing the void left by Kiptum’s untimely departure.
In a recent interview, Cheruiyot disclosed that four days before Kiptum’s demise, he had an unusual visit from four unidentified individuals who claimed to be Kenyans but refused to reveal their identities. The motive behind their visit remains unknown.
Expressing his sorrow, Cheruiyot, who is now left without any immediate family to turn to, appealed for assistance from the government during this difficult period.
The news of Kiptum’s car being spotted interrupted Cheruiyot’s evening, prompting him to rush to the accident scene. Unfortunately, upon arrival, he discovered the grim reality that his son, along with Rwandese Coach Gervais Hakizimana and another passenger, had already been rushed to the hospital.
Recounting his last conversation with Kiptum, Cheruiyot spoke about their plans for the future, including the construction of a new home. Kiptum had shared his aspirations to run for 1 hour 58 minutes in the upcoming race, expressing confidence in his physical condition.
Kelvin Kiptum, aged 24, and his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, tragically lost their lives in a fatal accident near their hometown of Chepsamo, western Kenya. Despite the tragedy, a female passenger who was also in the vehicle miraculously survived with injuries and was promptly taken to Racecourse Hospital in Eldoret. The bodies of Kiptum and his coach were transported to the morgue at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as investigations into the incident began.
