'If my son could rise from the grave today…' - Kelvin Kiptum’s parents cry out as family of late marathon millionaire lives in despair

'If my son could rise from the grave today…' - Kelvin Kiptum’s parents cry out as family of late marathon millionaire lives in despair

Festus Chuma 13:54 - 14.11.2024

Despite their son being a millionaire before his tragic death, Kelvin Kiptum’s parents are now living in hardship, calling for help as they face poverty and unfulfilled promises nine months later.

The family of the late world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has come forward to speak out on their dire living conditions nine months after his tragic passing.

Kiptum, who captured global attention after running an extraordinary 2:00:35 marathon in October 2023, passed away in February 2024 in a car accident.

Kiptum’s father, Samson Cheruiyot, a pastor from Chepsamo village in Elgeyo Marakwet County, shared the family’s hardships in a recent video circulating online.

“What I want to tell Kenyans is to help us, as the situation is not good. We tried reaching out to online bloggers, but we were blocked, and we don’t know why,” Cheruiyot lamented.

Despite his son’s fame and achievements, the family has been left with little support and significant economic challenges.

The situation has become particularly dire for the family, who depended on Kiptum as their only child and breadwinner.

In the months following his death, they say they have received little more than a government-constructed house on their farm—a gesture they appreciate but say is insufficient to meet their daily needs.

“When our son died, we did not expect to live in such hardship,” Kiptum’s father continued.

“We have no toilet, we have nothing. We have grains on the farm, but we don’t know where to store them once we harvest. We don’t have access to pumped water; we usually hire a tractor to deliver it, but now we can no longer afford it.”

IMAGE: Screengrab

Kiptum’s mother, too, described the relentless challenges they face without their son’s support, voicing frustration and sorrow over the unexpected hardship.

“We have faced many challenges,” she said.

“I don’t have a proper kitchen, so I cook outside, and the structure leaks. If my son could rise from the grave today, he would have so many questions. We have suffered. Kiptum was our only child and was taking care of us.”

Kelvin Kiptum’s impact on the world of athletics was monumental, especially with his record-breaking performance at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023.

The 24-year-old athlete, who ran his third marathon at an astonishing 2:00:35, had quickly risen to become a rival to legendary Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, whose previous world record of 2:01:09 Kiptum shattered.

His performances in the Valencia, London, and Chicago marathons garnered him global acclaim and significant earnings, marking him as one of Kenya’s most promising athletic talents.

However, tragedy struck on February 11, 2024, when Kiptum, along with his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana, lost his life in a car accident along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine Road near the Kaptagat area.

A third passenger, Sharon Chepkurui, was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she received treatment before being discharged.

Since Kiptum’s death, his parents claim that promises of financial support and aid have gone unfulfilled, leaving them in a difficult position.

They revealed that their attempts to speak up have been thwarted by “powerful individuals,” who they say are blocking their efforts to seek help from the public.

“We are calling on Kelvin’s friends to come and help us,” said Kiptum’s father.

“When we try to speak up, powerful individuals block us.”

The family’s plea for assistance has drawn sympathy from Kenyans across social media, many of whom are disheartened to learn of the conditions the family faces.

Kiptum’s parents, who relied solely on him for financial stability, now find themselves without essential resources, including proper storage for their harvest, a reliable water source and even basic sanitation facilities.