Athletes, family members, and friends convene to receive the remains of Kelvin Kiptum, the esteemed World Marathon record holder at the Eldoret Hospital morgue.
The procession, spanning approximately 80 kilometers, will accompany the body from Eldoret town through Iten town to the ancestral home in Kipsamo village, Elgeyo Marakwet county.
According to the funeral schedule, athletes will walk alongside the hearse for approximately half a kilometer as it traverses Eldoret town.
Barnabas Korir, an official from Athletics Kenya, affirms readiness to accord Kiptum a befitting send-off, stating, “We will work closely with the family as we send off our hero.”
Upon arrival in Iten town, residents will have the opportunity to pay their respects as the body arrives around 1 pm.
The preceding night witnessed a touching display of solidarity as hundreds of Eldoret residents and athletes partook in a procession and candlelight vigil in honor of the late athlete. The event commenced at the Eldoret Arboretum and culminated in a candle lighting ceremony at Nandi Park.
Subsequently, the body will be conveyed to a local church in Kipsamo, where a brief service will be conducted, followed by viewing and a night vigil leading up to the main funeral service and interment scheduled for the following day.
Dignitaries including President William Ruto are slated to attend the funeral service at Kipsamo Primary School.
Post-funeral proceedings will entail transporting the body an additional 15 kilometers to the late athlete’s new residence in Naiberi, where final rites will be observed.
Kiptum’s untimely demise in a road accident has deeply saddened the farming community in Chepsamo village.
“He was always joking – we spoke on the night of his death and he was joking about the Africa Cup of Nations final,” his mother, Mary Kangongo, reminisced
Meanwhile, construction of Kiptum’s new home, initiated by President William Ruto on his farm in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu county, is underway, with efforts aimed at completion before the scheduled burial on Thursday. Engineers and laborers have mobilized to ensure timely readiness for the final farewell.
