The Kenya Kwanza administration through the Ministry of Sports has honoured the late athlete Kelvin Kiptum by inducting him into the Hall of Fame.
The ceremony was presided over by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on Wednesday, March 20. The induction followed a meeting which was held between the CS and the families of the late Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Hakizimana Gervais.
Ababu was ushered by Kiptum's son Caleb Kigen in inducting the late Kiptum into the Talanta Hela Hall of Fame. The Talanta Hall of Fame is a prestigious platform celebrating excellence in the realm of creativity, sports and innovation.
" This is Special because it is the very first formal induction, and Kelvin becomes the first of our legends to be formally inducted in this hall of fame and stands here as a permanent heritage to his incredible contribution," Ababu stated.
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"This hall celebrates the best of Kenya's sports and creatives such as Joe Kadenge, Paul Tergat and Ngugi wa Thiongo. We celebrated Kiptum in life, and we will continue to celebrate him in death," he added.
Kiptum's name will paint the hall alongside other iconic legends in the sports and creative economy realm, Ababu noted.
The men's marathon world record holder was laid to rest at his farm in Naiberi, about 20km from Eldoret.
“I can’t learn to say goodbye… It’s unbelievable that today I have learnt to stay with our kids without you coming home,” said Kiptum’s widow Asenath Rotich in her eulogy.
“I have cried until no more... I promise to gather my strength for the sake of our children.”
Kiptum left behind two children, his seven-year-old son Caleb and four-year-old daughter Precious. He was the only child of Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Kangogo.
