CS Namwamba sheds tears after viewing Kelvin Kiptum's body

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba on Monday became emotional after viewing the body of World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum on Monday.

Kiptum died in a tragic road accident on Sunday.

CS Ababu after viewing the body left the Eldoret Hospital morgue wiping his teary eyes having confirmed that the promising athlete was no more.

The emotional CS  said it was too difficult to understand why death had robbed the country of a young athlete who was a role model to others.

"Death is cruel, Kenya and the world have lost a valuable person in Kelvin Kiptum," said Namwamba as he fought back tears.

He was with AK President Jack Tuwei and PS for Sports Peter Tum along with the father to the athlete Samson Cheruiyot.

Namwamba asked God to give the family strength to bear the loss.

"The most memorable thing is that he believed he was just starting his career and he was a very confident young man," said the CS.

He was a humble young man with a very strong attachment to his family.

He described the athlete as having been a pillar to his family and said the government would stand then at this difficult time.

"It's amazing how to burst into the world of athletics through self-training and self-motivation. He never lived in training camps but largely motivated himself," said Ababu.