On the third day of construction, engineers are racing against time to complete the seven-day house for the late world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum’s family. The construction, initiated on Friday through President William Ruto’s directive, is expected to be finished by Thursday. Various government officials, including Head of Public Service Felix Kosgei, have been on-site to oversee the project.
Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically died in a road accident last Sunday alongside his Rwandese coach Garvies Hakizimana, is scheduled to be buried on Friday at his farm in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County. The Eldoret Hospital Mortuary will release the body on Thursday for an overnight stay at his home in Chepsamo village, followed by a requiem mass at Chepsamo Primary School. The final rights will take place at Naiberi.
Vastu Company Limited, one of the sub-contractors involved in the construction, assures that the house will be completed by Thursday. The construction process involves erecting the skeleton of the walls, followed by electrical and plumbing work, interior and exterior boarding, gypsum application, cement board installation, and painting. All necessary materials, including tiles, are on-site.
Preparations for tree planting and gardening are also underway once the construction is complete. Kiptum’s widow, Asenath Rotich, mentioned that they had planned to relocate to the new house by April, fulfilling Kiptum’s wish. The national government has swiftly intervened to construct the house within seven days.
During his tour of the project, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei expressed condolences to the family and emphasized that the government is overseeing the construction and burial preparations. Koskei praised Kiptum as a rising star in athletics, expressing sadness at the untimely loss. He affirmed the government’s commitment to providing a befitting sendoff for the departed champion, supporting the funeral arrangements both locally and internationally.
