Kelvin Kiptum, the athlete who is being buried on Friday in a small village in western Kenya, is remembered by those who loved him as a joker – as well as a young man with incredible drive, determined to help those who sacrificed so much for him to be able to break the marathon world record last year.
The 24-year-old’s death in a road accident nearly two weeks ago on his way home has devastated the farming community in Chepsamo village.
“He was always joking – we spoke on the night of his death and he was joking about the Africa Cup of Nations final,” his mother Mary Kangongo told the BBC.
The match was being played in Abidjan, with hosts Ivory Coast surprising many by beating Nigeria to take the title.
“He told me that I should support Nigeria but I told him I wouldn’t be watching football as it was on too late,” she said.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, his grief-stricken mother was admitted to hospital for several days.
“He was loving and caring, a man who liked to tell jokes”
Now back home, she tells me in a softly spoken voice reminiscent of her son: “He was a simple, humble boy, you’d never know he was a world-record holder who had made some money. He always helped and supported the community.”
