Kenya's world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has been honoured with a state funeral following his death in car crash, as many Kenyans urged the government to do more to protect the country's most celebrated athletes.
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Hundreds of dignitaries -- from Kenyan President William Ruto to Sebastian Coe, head of World Athletics -- joined family, friends and fans of Kiptum on Friday in paying their last respects as he was interred in Naiberi, about six kilometres from his hometown of Chepkorio in western Kenya.
The 24-year-old runner and his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, were killed in the crash two weeks ago near the town of Kaptagat in western Kenya, in the heart of the high-altitude region that's renowned as a training base for the best distance runners from Kenya and across the world.
Kiptum was one of the most exciting distance runners to emerge in years, having broken the world record in just his third appearance in an elite marathon. His mark of 2 hours and 35 seconds, set last October at the Chicago Marathon, was ratified by World Athletics just days before he died.
His death reverberated through Kenya, where runners are the biggest sports stars and where many have sadly got used to tragedies involving their top athletes, with several having died in road accidents or cases of domestic violence.
Kiptum was driving on the night of February 11 when the car veered off the road into a ditch and then hit a large tree, authorities said. He and Hakizimana were killed instantly, while another passenger, Sharon Kosgei, was injured in the crash.
Kiptum, an only child, leaves behind wife Asentah Cheruto and their two children.
A High Court on Thursday declined to delay the funeral pending a woman's legal claim that Kiptum had fathered her child.
He was the latest Kenyan star to die in tragic circumstances.
David Lelei, an All-Africa Games silver medalist, died in a car crash in 2010. Marathon runner Francis Kiplagat was among five people killed in a crash in 2018. Nicholas Bett, who won gold in the 400m hurdles at the 2015 world championships, also died in a car crash in 2018.
Many Kenyans said they believe the authorities should do more to protect athletes who bring international recognition to the country, including providing them with security, drivers and advisors.
Jimmy Muindi, a six-times Honolulu Marathon winner from Kenya, said young athletes who reached Kiptum's level need support in managing their newly found celebrity status.
Jack Tuwei, head of Athletics Kenya, asked President Ruto and legislators to come up with a solution that would ensure the welfare of the athletes and "allow them to have all that they need to be safe."
Ruto said an endowment fund would be set up for athletes and Kiptum's widow would be given another house by the government and financial support.
Australian Associated Press
