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Kenya Announces Support Fund for Family of Deceased Athletics Coach and Marathon Record Holder

Cataleya

February 23, 2024 · 1 min read

Kenya Announces Support Fund for Family of Deceased Athletics Coach and Marathon Record Holder

Other Sports | February 23, 2024

Gervais Hakizimana (right) joined in celebration with Kelvin Kiptum following Kiptum's establishment of a new marathon world record in Chicago last October. (Image: Getty)

The Kenyan government has pledged 5 million Kenyan shillings (£26,964) to support the family of athletics coach Gervais Hakizimana who died in a road accident alongside Kenyan marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum. The announcement was made by Kenya’s sports cabinet secretary Ababu Namwamba during Hakizimana’s funeral in Kigali.

Kelvin Kiptum who set a new marathon record in Chicago was coached by Hakizimana and they were planning to attempt breaking the two hours barrier in a competitive marathon. Hakizimana’s widow Joan Chelimo expressed the difficulty of coming to terms with the loss describing her late husband as a caring and dedicated individual with plans for their life and daughter.

The Rwandan government was not represented at Hakizimana’s funeral. Kelvin Kiptum will be buried in his home village of Chepsamo in western Kenya.