Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has said that the county will name a road in the county after the fallen athlete and World Marathon Record holder Kelvin Kiptum.
The governor said in doing so, Kiptum’s name, history and legacy would be remembered by generations to come even those who never knew him.
Speaking at Iten Sportsground when he led hundreds of residents in viewing the late athlete’s body, the governor said Kiptum’s record would not be easy to break.
Residents thanked the family for allowing them to pay their last respects to him saying many may not make it to his burial service which would be held Friday at his home in Chepsamo village in Keiyo South Sub County before his burial at his farm in Uasin Gishu County.
The body was later taken to his village where it will lay overnight with his burial expected to be attended by senior government officials led by President William Ruto.
His family had initially communicated February 24 as the burial date.
State officials who spoke to the Star said the burial was rescheduled to Friday due to President Ruto's trip to Namibia on Saturday.
The government has taken over the planning of the burial and will shoulder all costs related to it.
A three-bedroom house is being built in honour of Kiptum. It will be handed over to the family on Thursday.
The athlete died on Sunday, February 11 alongside his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident along the Eldoret-Ravine road.
On Tuesday, athletes and local leaders held processions and candle-lighting events in honour of Kiptum and his coach.
The 10km processions were held in Iten and Kapsabet towns ahead of Kiptum's burial.
Hundreds of athletes turned up for the events in Iten town where Elgeyo Marakwet deputy governor Grace Cheserek announced the county government would help in establishing the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation to mentor young runners.
"As a county, we have lost a hero. We are here to stand with his family and bid him farewell as we look to keep his legacy in memory," Cheserek said.
Athletes present mourned their colleague as a hero with a great vision, especially for upcoming runners.
Kiptum is survived by a wife and two sons aged seven years and four.
Kiptum's death happened six days after the IAAF ratified his record of 2:00:35.
Kiptum broke Eliud Kipchoge's world record in Chicago, in October last year, running 26.1 miles in two hours and 35 seconds.
