Cabinet pays tribute: Moment of silence for Marathon star Kiptum

President William Ruto on Wednesday chaired a cabinet meeting at the State House.

After the opening prayers, Ruto led the cabinet secretaries in honoring the late marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.

They observed a one-minute silence.

The Marathon world record holder will be buried on February, 24, a member of the burial committee told the BBC.

The 24-year-old runner will be laid to rest in his hometown of Chepkorio in northwest Kenya.

Kenya’s sports ministry is expected to take charge of the burial in consultation with the family.

The Head of State eulogized Kiptum as a star, noting that he was an extraordinary sportsman who left an extraordinary mark on the globe.

"Kelvin Kiptum was arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record," he said.

The President noted that just at the age of 24, Kiptum was a hero who triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and other top competitions.

He said Kiptum's mental strength and discipline were unmatched, adding that," Kiptum was our future."

The President passed his condolences to the family and the entire sporting fraternity.

Kiptum died along with his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident on Sunday night.