President William Ruto has announced that the government will gift the family of late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum another house.
This, he said, is in addition to the newly built house on the four-acre land acquired by Kiptum at Naiberi in Uasin Gishu.
Speaking during the funeral service held at Chepkorio grounds, Ruto said this was in recognition of his achievements.
“Vile tulishakubaliana na vile tumeweka taratibu mpya, huyu kijana Kelvin tayari tumeshampatia shillingi million tano na serikali itampatia nyumba mzuri mbali na ile nyumba tumejenga hapa,” he said.
(In the same way, we have agreed and introduced a new reward scheme we have already given him Sh5 million and we are also going to give him a house beside the one that we have built for him)
“Sasa tutampatia mjane wake (We shall give it to the widow),” he said.
The three-bedroom house constructed in a record six days has been fully furnished and was set to be handed over to the family.
Ruto ordered the construction of the house as an honour to the athlete.
A modern technology of precast concrete and light gauge steel was applied in its construction.
Precast concrete wall panels are said to be a cost-effective alternative to the brick-and-mortar walling system.
Construction using this technology is also fast and does not require as much labour.
The head of state who was accompanied by a host of leaders including his deputy Rigathi Gachagua at the same time told the athletes to be mindful of their lifestyles.
“Coaches, managers and other people that are involved in the sport should do more to mentor these young athletes to be successful great sportsmen and women,” he said.
The government, he said, will do its part to support the athletes.
Kiptum, 24, has left behind a widow and two children aged seven and four.
The marathoner was killed alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident on February 11 along the Eldoret-Ravine road.
Hakizimana was laid to rest in Rwanda on February 21.
A post-mortem conducted on the body of Kiptum shows that he died due to severe head injuries.
Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor said the examination of the body revealed that he suffered severe injuries and fractures on his head.
He said the fractures were on the skull, and ribs and also affected his lungs.
The injuries, he stated, were consistent with the accident.
