President William Ruto has described World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum as an ambitious and resilient person.
The President said that despite him coming from a humble background, Kiptum never let his guard down.
Ruto added that Kiptum was an ambitious, disciplined and focused athlete.
Speaking on Friday during his burial ceremony at Chepkorio grounds in Elgeyo Marakwet, Ruto said that through his hard work, Kiptum broke the World Record.
“Today’s World Record has Kiptum’s name and it is because he was selfless and had no reasons not to succeed than he had to succeed but he worked against the odds.
“He could have said I come from a village that is not very well known or I come from a family that cannot cater for me or that I don’t have running shoes. You heard him that he ran barefoot in his earlier days.”
He added that Kiptum never allowed any of those reasons to deter him from working hard to be the Marathon Champion.
“Kelvin in his death is speaking to us as Kenyans that we may not have gold and so much but that should not deter us from being the great country that we must be,” Ruto added.
Ruto asked Kenyans to be patriotic and do their best to make it great.
The President said that Kelvin had just joined the many heroes that the country has.
The President called on the athletes to fulfil Kiptum’s wishes that he had by putting Kenya on the top during the upcoming Paris Championship.
“We want you (athletes) to make Paris an Olympic of Kelvin Kiptum, help us. I know you have the will and strength to do it,” he said.
Kiptum was expected to participate in the 2024 Paris Marathon alongside Eliud Kipchoge.
Kiptum is remembered by those who loved him as a joker – as well as a young man with incredible drive.
Ruto was among leaders and residents who joined the family in the final send-off of the World Marathon record holder.
The World Athletics President Sebastian Coe is among the international guests who attended Kiptum’s burial.
Kiptum died alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident along Eldoret-Kaptagat road.
He has left behind a widow, Asenath Rotich and two children.
