In a heart wrenching video parents of former Marathon World Champion Kelvin Kiptum have appealed for help from well-wishers.
This comes about one year since Kiptum died in a road accident at Kaptagat area alongside his coach.
Hus burial was attended by thousands of fellow athletes and high profile figures among them president Ruto and other world dignitaries.
During the sendoff ceremony several promises were made including assisting his parents to pick up after losing their only child. But in unexpected twist, Kiptum’s parents now claim they are living in abject poverty.
“We are tired of hiding the truth and sometimes back, our attempts to say the truth were thwarted by some powerful people,” Kiptum’s father Samson Cheruiyot revealed.
He added that, “We don’t even have a toilet in our home or even water drink. The maize in our farms remain untouched because it is difficult times for us. We are inviting Kpitum’s friends to come and see our situation,”
Even so, from the video recording that has gone viral, it is not clear what exactly happened to the parent or who has access to the late Kiptum’s bank accounts.
Equally, Kiptum’s mother poured out her heart in pain while appealing for help saying that if the deceased was to ressurect, he would be ashamed of them (parents).
Meanwhile, a photo Asenath Rotich, Kiptum’s wife has resurfaced online attracting a lot of reactions online.
Deborah Akuma commented, “Jengea wazazi wa Kiptum choo na uwanunulie tinga tinga wapate mapato Mungu atakubariki kama ni kweli hawana choo,”
“Watu hawapendi wakikuona hivo roho zinawauma, glow glow boset,” Jeisaz Junor responded.
While Eve Seroney observed, “You suffered enough when everyone was quite,”
Just before he died in a tragic road crash on Sunday, men’s marathon record holder, Kiptum had a dream of settling his young family in a prime land in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County.
His family said the fast-rising star had acquired the piece of land after his jaw-dropping win at the 2022 Valencia marathon, and had plans of building a palatial home before representing Kenya at the 2024 Paris Olympics this August.
After the accident President William Ruto had ordered the construction of a three-bedroom house in Kiptum’s land located 11km away from Eldoret town.
