Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto has promised to secure a job for the late Kiptum’s wife, Asenath, and in addition to that, build her a second house and give her 5 million ksh so that she can be able to support the young two children left behind by the late Kelvin Kiptum.

Speaking on Friday at Kiptum’s funeral service in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County, President Ruto said the government would support Kiptum’s family in honor of the pride and glory the late marathoner brought to the country.

This will be in addition to the two three-bedroom houses the government constructed for the late marathoner and his father in a record one week.

“Huyu kijana tushampatia milioni tano tayari naserikali itampatia nyumba mzuri mbali na ile tumejenga hapa. Mama Asenath nitaketi chini na gavana wa hapa ili tukubaliane ile kazi itatoshana na huyu mama ile aweze kusimamia watoto wa kijana wetu mwanariadha Kelvin Kiptum.” President Ruto shared.

In his address at the funeral ceremony, President Ruto eulogized Kiptum as an “ambitious, disciplined, and focused” sportsman.

He also encouraged the public to stay focused and not let Kelvin’s death deter them from accomplishing and doing the most for the country, as it is not just a lesson to learn from his death but also a reminder that it is also right to leave a good legacy behind.

“I say Kelvin, even in his death, is speaking to us as Kenyans that we may not have gold, we may not have so much, and that should not deter us from being the great country that we must be. All of us as the people of Kenya must love this country enough to be able to make Kenya great,’ President Ruto addressed the gathering.

The late Kiptum died in a road crash on the Elgeyo Marakwet-Eldoret road. His Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, 36, also died in the crash. He has been laid to rest in Naiberi, Eldoret.