A lot has happened in the last one year since world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum’s tragic demise and burial on his farm in Cherunya, Uasin Gishu County.
A mixed bag, really, with the much-talked-about prefabricated, three-bedroom house - built on the orders of President William Ruto in six-and-a-half days ahead of the champion’s burial - still intact and the compound boasting impressive, well-manicured grass on the one hand.
Kelvin Kiptum widow's house that was built by the government in a record six and a half days at Cherunya in Uasin Gishu County in this picture taken on February 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Bernard Rotich | Nation Media Group
And on the other, one feature sticking out like a vacant plot in a slum is a makeshift, decaying, smoking iron sheet kitchen outside a second house in the compound, the three-bedroom house also built by the government for Kiptum’s parents Mr Samson Cheruiyot and Mrs Mary Kangogo.
Samson Cheruiyot, father to the late Kelvin Kiptum, with his wife outside their makeshift kitchen in Cherunya, Uasin Gishu County, on February 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Bernard Rotich | Nation Media Group
A sprinkler bursts into life, spitting water onto the Kikuyu grass that covers every inch of the compound that’s secured by a chain-link fence and an iron gate.
Two 10,000-litre water tanks have been hoisted above cultivated farmland next to the compound with a solar panel powering the water pump that was done recently.
A borehole has also been sunk, ensuring the legends parents don’t have to worry about water supply.
An iron sheet fence has been planted around Kiptum’s grave, shielding it from public glare, also perhaps signaling an upcoming mausoleum befitting the stature of a world marathon record holder whose fledgling career was nipped in the bud at 24 years by a road accident on February 11 last year that also claimed the life of his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana.
Sharon Koskei, who sat on the back seat of the fateful Toyota Premio, survived the crash.
When the Daily Nation visited the home on Sunday evening, Mzee Cheruiyot had just arrived back home after running Sunday errands while his wife - donning a red souvenir t-shirt from the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon - was preparing a meal of ugali and cabbage over firewood in the makeshift kitchen choked by smoke.
Kiptum failed to finish the 2022 RAK race in Abu Dhabi and, irked by the performance, shifted to the marathon which he dominated with reckless abandon.
The body of the late Marathoner Kelvin Kiptum is carried from a hearse for a burials service held at Chepkorio Showground on February 23, 2024.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
And this paid off eventually with the world record run at the 2023 Chicago Marathon - a jaw-dropping two hours and 35 seconds!
Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya celebrates after setting a new world record time of 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023.
Photo credit: File | Reuters
The eerie silence in the homestead is a stark contract from the crowds that jammed the home on February 23 last year when the legend was lowered into the grave after an elaborate funeral service attended by President Ruto , his then deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, legislators and other dignitaries, including World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe.
American sportswear giants Nike, who sponsored Kiptum, sent Brett Holts, the vice president of Nike Running Footwear.
From left: Kelvin Kiptum's widow Asenath Rotich and his parents Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Kangogo during the athlete's burial service in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on February 23, 2024.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
But as the world continues to mourn Kiptum, one year later, a family feud over the superstar’s millions, most of which started trickling in after his death, is threatening to break Kiptum’s erstwhile close-knit family.
His parents claim not to have received a cent one year later but acknowledge that the government had fulfilled its promise by completing their house, besides having constructed another for Kiptum’s wife and children.
“As you can see, this is the life we are leading… it’s like being somewhere in the remote Turkana… we had a lot of hope that our son Kiptum would transform our lives forever, but since his death our lives have been terrible,” a visibly infuriated Cheruiyot breaks the silence, settling down to sit on a wooden log between the makeshift kitchen and his house.
Also noticeable is a chain and padlock securing the front door of the prefabricated house built for Kiptum’s wife Asenath Rotich.
“They claim that we chased Kiptum’s wife away, but as you can see, we locked the house, secured it and my wife gave the keys to Asenath… I also added a chain and padlock to ensure the house is completely safe. She (Asenath) is free to come any time and gain access to the house,” Mzee Cheruiyot explains as his wife prepares dinner in the smoke-choked kitchen.
“If we were to get sick, we would certainly suffer without that insurance,” he says.
New marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum during a presser at Weston Hotel in Nairobi on October 10, 2023. He set the new marathon world record with a new time of 2:00:35.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
But investigations by the Nation establish that disagreement between Kiptum’s parents, his wife and administrators of the athlete’s estate have led to the freezing of the late runner’s financial assets estimated to run into the neighbourhood of Sh200 million.
“Nike is withholding $200,000 (about Sh25 million) pledged to Kiptum’s family while Chinese watch company Amazfit is also withholding a similar amount they matched at $200,000,” a source close to transactions between Kiptum’s management and his estate’s administrators confided.
Amazfit last year launched a limited edition “Amazfit Cheetah Pro Kelvin Kiptum Edition” watch with the Chief Finance Officer for Zepp Health, developers of Amazfit based in their Amsterdam offices, Mr Leon Deng, saying proceeds from the watches sales would be ploughed into the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation.
Amazfit Cheetah Pro, the Kelvin Kiptum Commemorative edition watch that was launched in Rotterdam on April 13, 2024, ahead of Rotterdam Marathon.
Photo credit: Elias Makori | Nation Media Group
The launch was on the eve of last year’s Rotterdam Marathon in April at which Kiptum had planned to lower his own world record.
Besides the Sh50 million from Nike and Amazfit, administrators of Kiptum’s estate are withholding a further Sh10 million given by the government, Sh5 million being a government donation to the family and another Sh5 million being an incentive payment for world records broken by any Kenyan athlete.
Just a week after Kiptum’s death, World Athletics announced that his world marathon record time of 2:00:35 had been ratified.
Such ratification comes after all necessary conditions are met, including course compliance and anti-doping tests. Kiptum’s record run eclipsed the previous mark of 2:01:09, set by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge at the 2022 Berlin Marathon, by 34 seconds.
For the Chicago achievement, Kiptum earned the winner’s prize money of $100,000 (Sh12.9 million) and a further $50,000 (Sh6.45 million) bonus for setting the course and world record.
The superstar also earned undisclosed amounts from his commercial deals with Nike, Amazfit and other entities, monies that flowed into his accounts even after his death.
Bob Verbeeck, founder and CEO of Brussels-based sports management company Golazo.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Mr Bob Verbeeck, founder and CEO of Kiptum’s Brussels-based management company Golazo has been in the forefront of attempts to unite the family before the cash amounts are disbursed.
Through Mr Verbeeck’s efforts, the Rotterdam Marathon, which is owned by Golazo, raised 50,000 Euros (an equivalent of about Sh9 million at the time) as seed money for the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation, the contribution coming from part of the entry fees paid by the 50,000 competitors.
On life without Kelvin, Asenath Rotich said that she’s fairing well despite that it is hard living without him, she’s trying to be strong for her kids.
“We are pushing on well with the children… they are now in school and doing well in Class Three and PP2.
Family of the late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum (from left) wife Asenath Rotich, father Samson Cheruiyot and mother Mary Kangongo view the body of thier son before his burial service held at Chepkorio Showground on February 23, 2024.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
“It hasn’t been easy but we have tried our best. I try and always tell them to work hard. At times they ask about their dad and I normally tell them ‘he’s there watching us and so work hard in school and he’ll be happy when you shine in school.’ That’s how I always encourage them.
“I encourage them a lot and I also spoke with the teachers to encourage them.
On perceived differences with parents, she said “I don’t want to talk about the situation…
“I’m pushing on well, though it’s hard… it’s not easy… Life must continue and I’ve tried to be strong for my kids, because I know I’m now mum and dad to them…
“I don’t have any problem with them (Kiptum’s parents). I love them, they are my parents and they will remain to be my parents… they are the grandparents to my kids. I have no problem (sitting down with them to agree on the way forward).
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to delete erroneous information regarding the administrators of the late Kelvin Kiptum’s estate.
