Construction workers race against time to deliver Kiptum's house ahead of burial

Preparations for the burial of the late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum are in full swing at his Naiberi farm in Uasin Gishu farm, with construction workers racing against time to complete a new house ahead of the scheduled funeral.

Kiptum who perished alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana on February 11 will be laid to rest on February 24.

His family is said to have chosen the four-acre farm as his final resting place. 

The team of engineers, who arrived at the site on Friday, has embarked on construction works with a mission of delivering a three-bedroom house before the funeral day. 

The experts who have only six days are applying the latest technology which involves the use of precast concrete and light gauge steel.

On the first day, workers were seen decking the foundation using rectangular hollow sections (RHS).

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii among other national and county officials visited the site to inspect the works Saturday.

"We would like to thank President William Ruto for the support to the athlete's family," he told the press.

Ruto is said to have dispatched a team of engineers from the government to ensure the building is completed ahead of the burial.

Vaghjiyani Enterprises has been contracted to do the work.

The enterprise is also putting up another house for his parents in Chepsamo village.

Construction of a decent house for his family was one of Kiptum's dreams this year.

Kiptum's widow Asenath Rotich told the media in an interview at his home that they were waiting for plan for the new house before construction started.

"We had a lot of plans with him. We were set to start a business and move to a new house...I asked him about the house we were about to build, and he said he was waiting for the county to approve the building plan and everything else would be done in six months," she recounted.

On Friday, a team from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company also visited the site to supply power.

 The house is set to serve as a poignant tribute to the late Kiptum.