•In their last conversation, Kiptum had promised his father that a sponsor would come and build for them a house and buy them a car
•He alleged that there were strange people who had come to their home four days earlier looking for Kiptum but could not identify themselves
Image: XINHUA
Late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum’s father Samson Cheruiyot has said some strange people visited his home looking for his son days before his death.
Speaking to Citizen TV, he said the group came to their home four days earlier looking for Kiptum but could not identify themselves.
They claimed to have come from the State House but could not produce identification to prove so.
He now wants the government to launch investigations into the death of his son.
Cheruiyot said the death of Kiptum, who is his only child has left him devastated as he had seen him as the only hope.
"Kiptum ni mtoto yangu mmoja, pekee yake, sina mtoto mwingine, mama alikuwa na problem kidogo hospitali wakasema tukae na niliitika na tukakubali hivyo sasa saa hii sijui nitasema nini," he said.
This is translated to mean, "Kiptum was my only child, his mother had a problem and the hospital advised us not to have other kids so we agreed to that."
Cheruiyot said he received news of the accident at around 9:30pm when he was watching the news.
He was called and informed that his son’s vehicle had been spotted in the forest.
The emotional father said he last spoke to his son on Saturday where he told him he was ready for his athletics because he was feeling physically fit.
"Aliniambia mimi hata naskia mwili yangu saa hii hata kama ni kukimbia nitakimbia kwa one hour na 59, mwili yangu saa hii ni sawa sawa," Cheruiyot said.
This is translated to mean "he told me his body was well even if he is to run he will do it in a record one hour and 59 minutes".
In their conversation, Kiptum promised his father that a sponsor would come and build for them a house and buy them a car.
His father said in his son he saw a future.
At just 2 years, he said he knew he had a bright future only for his life to be cut short.
Kiptum and his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a tragic road accident Sunday night in the Kaptagat area along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road.
Kiptum is said to have been the one driving the vehicle heading to Eldoret when the accident occurred.
“The accident happened around 11 pm. The car had three occupants, two died on the spot while one was taken to hospital,” Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge said.
Athletics Kenya has since mourned the death of the record-world holder and his coach.