Govt to give Kiptum hero’s send off, says CS Namwamba

The Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba says the government will work closely with the family of Kelvin Kiptum to give the world marathon record holder a hero's send off.

Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died on Sunday night in a tragic road accident in Kaptagat, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

While addressing the press on Monday at the Talanta Plaza, Namwamba hailed Kiptum as a hero who put Kenya on the world map when he smashed the men’s marathon world record with a 2:00:35 run in Chicago in October last year.

“We are consulting in government. We officially informed the president when this tragic accident immediately occurred and as soon as the consultations are concluded we will be making an official announcement on how we will proceed forward with final respect for him.

"Kiptum is a national hero and we will honour him in death as we honoured him in life,” Namwamba said.

The CS was flanked by Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum and Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei.

Namwamba led a government delegation in welcoming Kiptum after his record breaking heroics in Chicago. It was on October 10, just two days after setting the world record that Namwamba awarded Kiptum Ksh5 million in line with the government's new policy of awarding world record holders KSh5 million.

According to a police report, Kiptum lost the control of his Toyota Premio which veered off-road entering into a ditch for 60m before hitting a tree. Kiptum and Hakizimana died on the spot while another passenger identified as Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei survived the crash and was released from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital on Monday.

Namwamba is expected to visit Kiptum’s home in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet county later today.