Four individuals who had visited the home of marathoner Kelvin Kiptum’s father just before the athlete’s passing voluntarily appeared at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office in Kaptagat on Wednesday morning for interrogation. These individuals, summoned following Kiptum’s father’s assertion of unfamiliarity with them, surrendered at the Kaptagat police station and were subsequently transported to the area police headquarters in Iten. There, they provided statements detailing the purpose of their visit to Kiptum prior to his demise.
New information has surfaced regarding their visit to Kiptum’s residence. Allegedly, the four men had sought out Kiptum to deliberate on the specifics of a Ksh.45 million contract inked between the late marathoner and a Chinese corporation. According to sources as reported by Citizen TV, Kiptum had expressed a desire to reimburse the Chinese company, yet the company’s primary focus was on ensuring that the athlete fulfilled his contractual commitments, rather than engaging in legal disputes. Consequently, they dispatched the four individuals to negotiate a resolution.
Elgeyo Marakwet CCIO Joshua Chelal shared insights with Citizen TV, stating, “The Chinese company was meant to provide sports equipment to Kiptum for use during the Chicago marathon. Allegations suggest that Kiptum chose to utilize a different brand instead of the agreed Chinese brand.” This decision left the company dissatisfied, prompting them to dispatch the four men to explore potential compensation or the opportunity to supply Kiptum with equipment for the upcoming Rotterdam race scheduled for April 2024.
The attorney representing the quartet, Kipyegon Lagat, clarified to Citizen TV that his clients have longstanding ties with Kiptum’s family and that the interactions with the late marathoner were fruitful. Dismissing reports alleging their ties to State House, Lagat stressed that his clients are not in custody but have been instructed to return to the CCIO on Friday for further inquiry. Meanwhile, arrangements for the late Kiptum’s burial have commenced, with the organizing committee confirming that the athlete will be laid to rest at his residence on Saturday, February 24.
