An autopsy has revealed that Kenya’s world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum died from severe head injuries in a road accident earlier this month.
Kenya’s chief government pathologist Johanssen Odour told local media that the injuries were consistent with those suffered in motor vehicle accidents.
The 24-year-old rising star and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana were killed in a late-night accident on 11 February near his home in north-western Kenya.
READ ALSO : Kenya’s World-Record Marathon Runner Kelvin Kiptum, 24, Killed In Car Crash
Hakizimana funeral is under way in Rwanda.
Kiptum will be laid to rest on Friday at his home village, Chepkorio in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, in what is expected to be a state event.
Kiptum rose to fame last year when he won the Chicago marathon and set a new world record of 2:00:35.
He beat the previous record held by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge by 34 seconds – setting Kiptum up as Kipchoge’s main rival for the 2024 season.
The two had been named in Kenya’s provisional marathon team for the Paris Olympics later this year.
Forensic experts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya had traced the last moments of late marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, hours before Tuesday’s autopsy. It emerged that Kiptum went to three restaurants moments before the tragic road crash at 11pm on February 11.
”The investigations revealed Kiptum visited Talex Inn Restaurant Pub and Car Wash along Iten-Eldoret road, The Well Irish Pub and Restaurant at Rupa Mall and The Grand Miarmir Guest House in Annex off the Eldoret-Nairobi highway.
At Grand Miarmir Guest House, The Standard established that Kiptum’s Toyota Premio car KDL 566F, arrived at 9:12pm and left at 10:25pm.
Workers at the guest house said Kiptum, his coach and Chepkurui had dinner at their restaurant before leaving in the ill-fated car.
After leaving The Grand Miarmir Guest House located on the outskirts of Eldoret, the trio drove towards the athlete’s training base in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet, but the accident happened at Flax junction, about 36 kilometres away from the last entertainment joint.
There had been questions about Kiptum’s movements between 9pm and 11:15 pm when the road accident happened.
Preliminary investigations had indicated that Kiptum’s car hit a tree after veering off the road at high speed.
Jeremy Kipkorir, a supervisor at The Wells Irish Restaurant, said Kiptum, Hakizimana and a woman arrived at around 6:36pm and left at 8:58pm.
Director of Grand Miarmir Elphas Sitienei confirmed that Kiptum, coach and Chepkurui checked in at the time recorded at the restaurant’s entrance. Sitienei said Kiptum and the duo spent their time at VIP lounge.
“Kiptum ordered meat and boiled bananas, which was his favourite. He was accompanied by a man and a woman. The late athlete paid the bills through mobile money transfer at 10:16pm,” Sitienei said.
Details of Kiptum’s last moments at Talex Inn, where the athlete stayed on Sunday afternoon, remained unclear.
His team had announced that Kiptum would attempt to run the 42km distance in under two hours at the Rotterdam marathon – a feat that has never been achieved in open competition.
