Your tragic death has sunk the hearts of many in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya and the world at large.
Your shocking death came at a time when the whole world was bracing up to watch you lower your 2:00:35 marathon record to under two minutes at the Rotterdam Marathon in April. Your running career was just picking up and you showed great potential to break more records.
I watched you on TV running in Chicago and your consistent speed was an indicator that the world record was under threat.
Days after your spectacular performance, I called to congratulate you. I later hosted you in my office in a ceremony that was also extended to your village, Chepsamo.
You were a man of few words. A simple character whose newfound status, owing to your outstanding athletics career, did not separate you from your circle of friends. Even in your star status, you still resided and trained at Chepkorio.
When I hosted you in my office, you promised to lower the world record jokingly saying: “Hiyo ni yangu” loosely translating to: “I will handle that”.
Kiptum, you will be greatly remembered for your resilience and determination in conquering the marathon. Your marathon reign will be remembered for generations to come.
You were a brother and friend to me, someone in whom I derived a lot of inspiration from. Your determination on the roads gave me the drive to also go the extra mile in my service to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet County, your home county.
It is still unbelievable that you are no more. At just 24 years of age, your life was just starting. You were a rising star. I had hoped to always welcome you home and attend many of your homecoming ceremonies.
This year’s Olympics was one I had purposed to attend, to watch you run, break a new world record as you had promised me, and bring home that coveted medal.
You elevated your little-known village of Chepsamo to the world map and your generosity at home was simply unmatched. You loved your people, and they loved you back. It is even sad that you died as you drove back home to join your childhood friends. Not to mention the underprivileged children you were silently educating.
Kiptum, we honestly do not know when this cloud of sadness will leave us. We feel frustrated. We feel we should have done something to shake off the cruel hand of death from taking your life. The Bible, however, teaches us — in Deuteronomy 29:29 — that the secret things belong to God, even our time of departure from this earth.
But in your death, you remain a world champion and your marathon record of 2:00:35 which you set in Chicago on October 8, 2023, will always be a constant reminder that you came, you saw and you conquered.
The memories we have of you will linger because you were a man of extraordinary achievement.
Kaptagat Road will never be the same again. Everybody traveling to Keiyo South will always want to see the spot that ended your dream. We will forever ask ourselves why and how it happened there. Why, when so much was expected of you, Kelvin? How can we say you have finished your race?
May your parents Samson and Mary, your wife Asaneth, your children, Caleb Kigen and Precious Jerop, relatives, the athletics fraternity, and friends alike, find solace in God who created you and has now taken you back.
Your village mourns you, Elgeyo Marakwet mourns you, Kenya and the world mourns you.
Go thee well Kiptum. May it be well with our souls. We will mourn you many days, and only God will heal our pain.
Wesley Rotich, Governor, Elgeyo Marakwet County