Hundreds flock at Iten grounds to view Kiptum's body

The body of the late World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum arrives at Iten Elgeyo Marakwet County for viewing on Feb 22, 2024. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and his Deputy Grace Cheserek today led members of the public to view the body of the late marathon star Kelvin Kiptum.

Hundreds of residents and sports personalities turned out at Iten grounds for the viewing ahead of the burial on Saturday.

Faith Kipyegon was among the sports personalities on the grounds.

According to an autopsy conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor on Wednesday, Kiptum died of severe head, spine and rib injuries.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and his Deputy Grace Cheserek view the body. [Christopher Chesang, Standard]

Kiptum sustained skull fractures and broken ribs during the accident that happened at Flax junction along Eldoret-Eldama Ravine road on February 11.

Oduor said the impact of the accident resulted in right broken ribs.

"There were some fractures on both sides of the ribs. On the left side, three rib bones, including first, second and third and on the right side, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh had fractures," he said.

Faith Kipyegon (Second left) with other athletes after viewing Kiptum's body. [Christopher Chesang, Standard]

He said the late Kiptum's spinal cord was seriously injured during the road crash.

The government pathologist said samples collected from Kiptum's body would be taken for toxicology analysis.

Members of the public queue to view Kelvin Kiptum's body at Iten grounds. [Lynn Kolongei, Standard]

Speaking at Eldoret Hospital morgue where the autopsy was done, Oduor said an analysis of the samples would show whether Kiptum, who was the driver of the ill-fated Toyota Premio, was intoxicated.

He further reported that the postmortem examination found that Kiptum had sustained an injury on his lungs.

The body of marathon star Kelvin Kiptum arrives at Iten grounds for public viewing. [Christopher Chesang, Standard]

Kiptum's father, Samson Cheruiyot, and several relatives and friends witnessed the postmortem examination conducted ahead of athlete's burial tomorrow.

The only survivor in the tragic crash that Kiptum and his Rwandan coach claimed she alerted the athlete immediately after the ill-fated car suddenly started veering off the road.

Members of the public queue to view Kelvin Kiptum's body at Iten grounds. [Lynn Kolongei, Standard]

A police officer privy to the investigations said Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei, 24, revealed that Kiptum lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the road.

“She told us that she saw the vehicle veering off and immediately shouted at him to return back to the road.

Governor Wesley Rotich signs a condolence book after viewing the body of Kiptum at Iten grounds. [Christopher Chesang, Standard]

“After shouting, the vehicle accelerated far off the road, landing in the ditch before hitting a wall. That was the last thing she remembers,” the source said.

Initially, however, the car was said to have hit a tree after veering off the road. 

Members of the public queue to view Kelvin Kiptum's body at Iten grounds. [Lynn Kolongei, Standard]

Photos by Lynn Kolongei and Christopher Chesang.