President William Ruto has arrived at Kelvin Kiptum's funeral service.
He was accompanied by his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi.
Also present was Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba among other government officials.
Ruto and the entourage who wore black suits, walked as they greeted families and friends of the World Marathon record holder Kiptum.
After exchanging greetings, Ruto led the team to view the body of Kiptum before shaking hands with the family members led by Kiptum's father Samson Cheruiyot, widow Asenath Rotich and the children who were already seated at the main dais.
The 24-year-old's death in a road accident nearly two weeks ago on his way home has devastated the farming community in Chepsamo village.
Kenyans continued to stream into the ASK Chepkorio grounds in Elgeiyo Marakwet for the funeral service of marathoner Kelvin Kiptum.
Long queues were witnessed at the entrance to the grounds from as early as 7 am.
Hundreds of police officers have been deployed to the venue to provide security.
There was a brief session for the public to view the body on the grounds.
Kiptum who is being buried in a small village in western Kenya, is remembered by those who loved him as a joker - as well as a young man with incredible drive, determined to help those who sacrificed so much for him to be able to break the marathon world record last year.
As the village and country come to terms with losing a sporting champion, a massive funeral is planned for him this Friday.
It will be held at the local primary school in Chepsamo and will be attended by the country's leaders, including President William Ruto, as well as World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
He will be interred on the land he had bought to build his family a home - and where over the last week, the government has been erecting a house for his widow. A separate house will be built next to it for his parents.
Kiptum's mother has accepted that she must now "live for my grandchildren".
The champion's three-bedroom house has also been constructed and is ready to be handed over to the family.
The house radiates beauty and purpose, proving that in the face of doubt, persistence transforms critique it remains a majestic end product.
It was built in a record six days following an order by President William Ruto.
It is located at his four-acre Naiberi farm in Uasin Gishu some 20 kilometres from Eldoret town.
Vaghjiyani Enterprises Limited was contracted to do the work.
