At the funeral for marathon hero Kelvin Kiptum, the family conducts moving tributes.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi accompanied President William Ruto to the event, which took place in the Kenyan county of Elgeyo Marakwet.
According to authorities, Kiptum, 24, and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, perished at the scene of the collision outside the town of Eldoret in the Rift Valley. Asenath Cheruto, Kiptum’s widow, conducted the ceremony and gave a heartfelt eulogy honoring her late husband.
I don’t know how to say goodbye to you, my sweet love. My fingers are numb, and my heart is hurting. It’s incredible that I’ve learned how to stay with our cherished children without you returning home. With tears in his eyes, Cheruto murmured, “I mourn my love.” She conveyed her sadness that they were unable to enjoy their April wedding ceremony celebration as planned.
Cheruto, who was previously legally married to Kiptum, stated, “We were planning for a big day to tie our knots in a colorful wedding ceremony in April 2024, but God’s plans are greater.” “I promise to keep my love vows even when you’re sleeping.”
A brief remembrance of Kiptum’s two children was also read by a family representative.”Hey Dad, We are still in shock that you are no longer among us. We adore and remember you forever. Our lives will never be the same because of the huge hole you left behind. We will never stop thinking about you. According to the children’s remark, “Daddy, we love you.”
Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, also spoke from the platform, expressing his sorrow and anguish over Kiptum’s passing and how it has prevented both him and the rest of the world from witnessing “greater exploits.”
It is already cause for sorrow that a young life ends so abruptly and in such a terrible way. “Kelvin would have written more chapters in the lustrous history of Kenyan and world athletics,” Coe stated, adding that “it is a cause of intense sadness that a young life that had in so few years scaled the highest peaks of athletic achievement is prevented from even greater exploits.”
“I may be able to say a few things today to lessen your suffering and sense of loss. I can speak for the entire global athletics family on behalf of Kelvin’s family, his fellow athletes, and his horde of friends from both inside and outside of sports, Coe added.
“I’ll miss you, Kelvin. It will take time for our pain and grief to go away. You may be confident that your accomplishments will always be remembered because they are priceless, enduring, and safe in the pages of our history, he continued.
The Kelvin Kiptum Foundation is being launched by Golazo, an athlete management firm. According to Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya, the foundation “will predominantly provide continued financial support for education and infrastructure.”