Nairobi News

The family of celebrated celebrated athlete, Kevin Kiptum is set to have a new three-bedroomed house built for them within seven days.

This follows a directive issued by President William Ruto to have the house ready before the burial slated for February 24, 2023, to give the marathon world record holder a befitting sendoff.

A special delegation paid a courtesy call to Kiptum’s family to convey the message from the Head of State and confirm his attendance for the legendary athlete’s internment.

Nairobi News has established it is all systems go as the team of engineers awaits feedback from the family by February 17, 2024, regarding the burial site and where the new house will be located.

According to sources, there are three sites where the 24-year-old long-distance champion is anticipated to be interred: his father’s compound and two pieces of land he had purchased in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County.

The latest developments have raised eyebrows fuelled by recent remarks by a Kenyan woman purporting to have been Kiptum’s mistress.

The late Kiptum left behind a widow, Asenath Cheruto, and two children.

“Does it mean our legendary champion did not own a decent house altogether or it is just the President who decided to build the new house as a personal gift to Kiptum’s family,” posed Jamal, a bodaboda operator in Nairobi.

A Kenyan woman named Jeylaa left tongues wagging on social media after posting an affectionate photo of what she said was of her and the deceased athlete, who holds the record of competing in the marathon and had been selected to compete at the Paris Olympics.

The lady posted another message claiming she had received a personal gift from the athlete who met his death in a road accident alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana on February 11, 2024.

Kiptum’s death occurred weeks before he was to compete at the Rotterdam marathon with sources indicating he was all set to break the record.

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