NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 23 – Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has assured all pending dues for World Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum earned from marathon races will be paid to his family.
Namwamba was speaking on Friday afternoon in Chepkorio grounds, Elgeyo Marakwet County, during the burial ceremony of the late Kiptum who died February 11 in a road accident.
Kiptum was due to get all his KES 21.8 million (150,000 USD), KES 15 million (100,000 USD) for winning Chicago Marathon title and KES 7.3 million (50,000 USD) for breaking world record as well as other monies from Nike his apparel sponsor.
“All the resources due to Kelvin (Kiptum), the ministry of Sports is being very deliberate in documenting anything that was due to Kiptum, due from government, agents, endorsements and management we shall pursue every single coin and make sure it is put together to benefit this family, I give that assurance,” CS Ababu said.
Kiptum was laid to rest this evening in Naiberi, near Eldoret, where the government has built a new home for the family.
Meanwhile, World Athletics boss, Sebastian Coe who attended the funeral, said Kiptum was on the path to set more records and he will remain a hero in the history of athletics in the world.
“Kelvin you will be missed, our grief and sadness will take time to dissipate rest assured your achievements are treasured indelible and secure in the annals of our history and never ever forgotten, may you rest in peace,” Coe said.
On his part, President William Ruto urged sportsmen and women to desist from activities that can ruin their talents.
Ruto regretted that use of drugs among some athletes has tarnished the country’s name besides ruining their careers.
“I want to ask our sportsmen and women not to allow drugs to ruin their profession. When we took over office in 2022, Kenya had already been blacklisted because of doping. But we resolved the issue, and we are now off the list of countries targeted over doping,” President Ruto said.
Athletes including former javelin world champion, Julius Yego, 800m world record, David Rudisha, 3000m steeplechase king Ezekiel Kemboi, former 5000m Olympic champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, former New York champion, Geoffrey Kamworor and double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon attended the function.
