Venue For Kelvin Kiptum Funeral Changed After Strong Winds Destroy Tents, Cars
Meanwhile plans for the late Kiptum's burial at his home in Naiberi, Iten on Friday, February 23 after the funeral service were left intact.
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The venue for the funeral service of world marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum was moved to the Chepkorio showgrounds in Keiyo South from Chepsamo grounds at the last minute on Thursday, February 22.
The organisers had revealed to the media that the venue change resulted from strong winds which impacted the Chepsamo venue, wreaking havoc on property including tents erected on the grounds.
The damage was quite significant in that vehicles, according to photos seen by Viral Tea, were damaged by the tents which were blown off due to the impact of the strong winds.
Cars damaged by tents blown off by strong winds at Chepsamo grounds on February 22, 2024. /EVANGELINE MUKUA
At least two cars had suffered extensive damage; one with a smashed windscreen and frontal bonnet damage, while another had damage to the body.
Meanwhile plans for the late Kiptum's burial at his home in Naiberi, Iten on Friday, February 23 after the funeral service were left intact.
The world record holder was killed in a road crash on February 11, 2024, alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
Among those expected to grace his final send-off include President William Ruto, state dignitaries, and dignitaries in the athletics profession in what is to be a state-accorded funeral which was earlier approved by the Cabinet.
The funeral and burial plans were almost halted on Thursday after a 22-year-old woman, Edna Awuor, moved to the Eldoret High Court to stop it from taking place, demanding that the child she sired be recognised as Kiptum's child.
However, Justice Robert Wananda of the High Court declined to issue the orders based on the burial being a matter of national interest.
"Burial arrangements of the deceased are at an advanced stage and, therefore, stopping the burial may be disruptive, considering the resources that have been put in," the judge ruled on Thursday, February 22.
Awuor, who spoke to the media, insisted that she sired a baby with him and was at a loss in terms of who would help her take care of the one-year and seven-month-old child.
She further claimed that Kiptum's relatives had failed to recognise her as well as the baby and also locked her out of the burial process. She also alleged that the family chose not to include the minor in the eulogy.
Awuor further noted that she had been living with Kiptum from the onset of the intimate relationship, the only exception being the time she had to return to her parents' home when she gave birth.
Collage of Kelvin Kiptum and a woman who moved to court to stop his burial from taking place on February 23, 2024. /GHETTO RADIO
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