DCI officers visit accident scene as Kelvin Kiptum’s burial date is changed

The funeral ceremony for the late marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum has been changed since it did not align with President William Ruto’s schedule. 

The late runner was expected to be buried on Saturday, February 24 but the event has now been brought forward to Friday, February 23.

Athletics Kenya (AK) confirmed the changes and also announced a two-day closure of their offices countrywide. 

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“Athletics Kenya offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in honor of the late Kelvin Kiptum. Kelvin will be laid to rest on Friday, February 23, 2024 in Chepkorio Village, Elgeyo Marakwet. The normal office operations resume on Monday, February 26,” part of the statement from AK read. 

President Ruto will leave the country immediately after Kiptum’s burial to attend the funeral service of Namibia’s head of state Hage Geingob. 

Geingob died at the age of 82 due to cancer-related illness although key details have not been made public yet.

Meanwhile, Kiptum’s coach Gervais Hakizimana will be buried on Wednesday evening, February 21 in Rwanda. 

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Hakizimana’s family refused to accept the post-mortem results before the body was airlifted from Eldoret to Rwanda, citing malice.

According to one of the deceased's relatives, Hakizimana’s body did not have major wounds, something which is rare in such types of accidents. 

At the time of the tragic accident, Hakizimana and Kiptum were seated on the front seat when the car lost control and hit a tree.

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Sharon Kosgei, who was seated at the back of the salon car, managed to survive the accident and has already recorded a statement with the investigators. 

Moreover, a homicide team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) visited the scene of the accident yesterday evening as they try to find out exactly what led to the death of Kiptum and Hakizimana.

However, most Kenyans have been angered by the failure of the DCI officers to act quickly and shed light on the incident that robbed Kenya of one of its most exciting talents.

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