Update: Four strangers ‘who visited Kelvin Kiptum’s home’ days before the Kenyan marathon world-record holder died in a car crash are ‘arrested for questioning!
The Kenyan marathon world-record holder, 24, died in an accident, which also killed his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, in the high-altitude region of Kaptagat in Western Kenya, known as a training base for the best distance runners the world over.
The sad news broke out just days after World Athletics ratified his world record time of 2:00.35, which he set with a stellar victory in last year’s Chicago Marathon.
Authorities said the dad-of-two had lost control of his car and veered off the road, hitting a tree.
However, the father of the world marathon record holder called for an investigation into his son’s death, claiming four unidentified people ‘came looking for him’ days before his accident.
According to the Nation, four suspects are currently in police custody for questioning after being arrested.
The quartet, yet to be identified, was initially held at Kaptagat Police Station but has been transferred elsewhere for further interrogation.
Kiptum’s father, Samson Cheruiyot, told Kenya’s Citizen TV: ‘There are people who came home a while back who were looking for Kiptum but refused to identify themselves.
‘I asked them to provide identification, but they opted to leave. It was a group of four people.’
