Cause Of Kelvin Kiptum Death Revealed- Johansen Oduor
He however did not reveal whether there was foul play that could have led to their untimely demise.
Marvin Chege 
Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor has revealed that the late marathon world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, died as a result of head injuries during the February 11 road accident.
Addressing the press after conducting an autopsy on the athlete's body, the pathologist indicated that the injuries were a result of the accident that claimed the lives of Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana.
He however did not reveal whether there was foul play that could have led to their untimely demise.
"Kelvin was a 24-year-old gentleman who it was alleged was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident," he told the press in Eldoret.
Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital Mortuary during the autopsy exercise of victims of the Shakahola massacre on May 1, 2023. /FILE
"Upon doing the postmortem, the findings are that the late Kelvin had severe head injuries. There were severe skull fractures which were mainly at the base of the skull. The spinal cord had intruded into the cranial cavity because of the fractures."
Oduor added that there were some fractures on the ribs on both sides. On the left side, the first, second and third ribs were fractured and on the right side, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh ribs were fractured.
"There were also what is called contrition on the lungs, meaning that there were also injuries to the lungs. So what killed the late Kelvin was severe head injuries which look like something caused by a motor vehicle accident," he added.
The chief pathologist added that his team had taken more samples for analysis amidst ongoing investigations into the circumstances of his death.
He noted that the samples would be subjected to full toxicological analysis for other factors that could have culminated in the accident.
"Being that this was a person who was driving, then suddenly he was involved in an accident and passed on. Our question is, what could have contributed to this?" he posed.
"Was there something in the system that could have contributed to this? That is why we have taken samples. We are doing the full screening for anything."
The world was stunned by overnight news that Kiptum died in a gruesome road accident in the Kaptagat area along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine Road alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
His vehicle veered off the highway into a ditch with Kiptum and Hakizimana dying on the spot. A third person who was with the duo however survived, with severe injuries.
Burial preparations for the late Kiptum have been underway with the late athlete set to be interred at this home on Friday, February 23. The Cabinet previously announced that Kiptum would be accorded a State funeral to honour his exceptional achievements.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) took over the case, having been dispatched to Uasin Gishu to determine the cause of the crash. Four individuals who visited Kiptum four days before his death were taken in for questioning.
