Kelvin Kiptum Told Close Friend He'd Sent Fare Not to Join Him Few Hours before Accident

• Collins Kipkemboi said the area MP's visit, Gideon Kimaiyo, saved him from death as he was to travel along Kelvin Kiptum and his coach
• He disclosed that he lacked enough bus fare and so opted to stay behind to get a handout from the lawmaker
• Kiptum sent him a text message advising him to stay back and wait for him so they could watch the AFCON finals together

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

As the nation and the family of marathoner, Kelvin Kiptum grapple with the shock of his untimely demise, his close friend from Chepkoroi reminisces about their final meeting just hours before the tragic incident.

Collins Kipkemboi, 19, recounts that they had made plans to journey to Eldoret together to watch the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa on Sunday, February 11.

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Why did Collins Kipkemboi not travel to Eldoret?

However, Kipkemboi was distracted by the presence of Keiyo South Member of Parliament, Gideon Kimaiyo, whom he expected to give him KSh 100, as is the norm during his local visits.

The young man told Nation.Africa that Kiptum appeared to be in a rush and left him behind. However, the deceased later sent him KSh 300 as bus fare to meet up in town and watch the match together.

“I was eyeing a KSh 100 handout from our Keiyo South MP who always gives locals handouts after a church service, but since Kiptum was in a hurry, he sent me KSh 300 via MPesa as fare to Eldoret so that I could join them after the church service,” he recalled.

After waiting for more than five hours, the deceased sent him a text message informing him that they were on their way back.

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The message advised him not to travel but to wait for his return, so they could watch the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast together.

According to Kemboi, a call that followed was from his brother informing him that Kiptum was involved in a tragic accident that ultimately cost him his life.

What you need to know about Kelvin Kiptum's death

• Kiptum was the only child in his family whose death left a void not only in his family but in the entire constituency
• The government promised to accord him a state burial, considering his achievements that put the country in the spotlight
• The airbags of the ill-fated car did not blow up according to police
• He was set to face veteran Eliud Kipchoge in the next Olympics in Paris

Source: TUKO.co.ke