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Star marathoner Kelvin Kiptum's burial moved to Friday

Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum during a press conference after winning the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois, in a world record time of two hours and 35 seconds on October 8, 2023. (Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/ AFP)

By Eastleigh Voice Reporter | 20 Feb 2024

Athletics Kenya announced the change via X on Tuesday, saying its offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in Kiptum's honour.

Kenya's record-holding marathoner Kelvin Kiptum's burial has been moved by a day, from February 24 to February 23, due to President William Ruto's schedule.

The ceremony is expected to be a state funeral, with the government working with his family on the plans.

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Athletics Kenya announced the change via X on Tuesday, saying its offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in Kiptum's honour.

Athletics Kenya offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in honor of the late Kelvin Kiptum. Kelvin will be laid to rest on Friday, February 23, 2024 in Chepkorio Village, Elgeyo Marakwet. The normal office operations resume on Monday Feb 26, 2024. pic.twitter.com/6h46qBDhpU
— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) February 20, 2024

Last week, AK executive committee member Barnabas Korir told AFP that Kiptum's family and the government had taken over all the funeral arrangements and protocol.

"We expect some high dignitaries to attend the burial including the President, William Ruto, and the head of World Athletics, Seb Coe," he said.

Kiptum and his coach Garvais Hakizimana died in a road accident on the night of February 11, 2024, as he drove from Kaptagat to Eldoret around 11 pm.

A police report said the father of two had lost control of the car and veered into a ditch before hitting a tree. The two were killed on the spot while a woman passenger was injured.

The Kenyan Cabinet and National Assembly have, on separate occasions, paid tribute to the star, with several lawmakers calling for a full investigation into the crash and better protection of the nation's athletes.

The government said that to honour the "true national hero" it would support his family in giving him a befitting heroic farewell.

The Cabinet further acknowledged the Sports ministry's interventions to better protect the country’s sporting icons and urged all road users to uphold traffic laws and practice safe road use.