Samson Cheruiyot, father of the late marathon record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, broke his silence during an interview with one media outlet on Monday afternoon.
Kiptum, his only son, met an untimely death on Sunday night, leaving a profound impact on the family. Recounting events preceding Kiptum’s passing, Cheruiyot mentioned a peculiar visit from four unidentified individuals four days prior to the tragedy. These visitors, Cheruiyot recalled, remained secretive about their purpose.
“Kiptum was my only child. Now he has left me and my grandchildren. I do not know what to do. If the government can, it should help us. We are stuck now with no one who can help us,”Cheruiyot lamented expressing his grief and a sense of loss.
Cheruiyot recounted the moment he received news of his son’s car being spotted, prompting him to rush to the accident scene. Unfortunately, upon arrival, Kiptum, Rwandese Coach Gervais Hakizimana, and a female companion Sharon Kosgei had already been taken to the hospital.
Reflecting on his last conversation with Kiptum, Cheruiyot shared details of their plans, including discussions about building a house and Kiptum’s ambitious aspirations for an upcoming race.
Despite initial academic pursuits in Electronic Wiring, Kiptum made a resolute choice to pursue a career in marathon running, a decision supported by his father.
Tragically, Kiptum’s life was cut short when the car he was driving veered off-road, leading to a fatal accident. Despite the loss, Cheruiyot’s memories of his son’s determination and aspirations remain poignant amidst the grief.
