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Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum smiles during a press conference after winning the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois, in a world record time of two hours and 35 seconds on Oct. 8, 2023. Photo by AFP |
According to Kenyan newspaper Nation, Kiptum, who set a world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2 hours and 35 seconds, died in a traffic accident near Kaptagat, Kenya, on Feb. 11, 2024, at the age of 25.
At the time of his death, Kiptum’s estate was valued at approximately US$5 million, as reported by several marathon news outlets.
Nonetheless, as Nation’s reporters visit Kiptum’s parents at their home, his father Samson Cheruiyot stated that he has not received any money from his son’s estate and continues to work daily with his wife to make ends meet. He shared his frustrations about living in a leaking house and dealing with expired health insurance.
He accused Mark Corstjens, a representative of Kiptum’s management company Golazo, of attempting to freeze the assets and showing favoritism towards Kiptum’s wife Asenath Rotich at the expense of himself and his wife.
Corstjens denied these claims, highlighting that Golazo had created the Kelvin Kiptum Fund to support all family members and was progressively working to complete Kiptum’s visions.
“Golazo is committed to ensuring that his family, his wife, and his children have a bright and sustainable future. No one should benefit more than anyone else,” Corstjens stated. “We are actively working with Kiptum’s father to meet his needs.”
Another investigation by Nation disclosed that various brands have retained sponsorship money designated for Kiptum’s family.
“Nike is withholding US$200,000 committed to the Kiptum family, and a watch sponsor is also retaining another US$200,000,” revealed a source close to Kiptum’s image representative and asset manager.
Furthermore, the asset management unit has kept US$77,000 donated by the government, along with US$38,000 in additional government donations for his family and another US$38,000 in prize money awarded for breaking the world record at the Chicago Marathon.
Speculation also persists about inheritance disputes between Kiptum’s parents and his wife.
After Kiptum’s accident, Kenyan President William Ruto quickly ordered the construction of a three-bedroom prefab house for use during Kiptum’s funeral, which was later given to his wife and children. A similar house was also built for Kiptum’s parents.
Both homes, located on the same property, are equipped with a daily watered lawn, a temporary kitchen, a borehole, two 10,000-liter water tanks, a surrounding fence, and an iron gate. Kiptum’s grave, enclosed by a tin fence, has plans in place for a future mausoleum.
However, the house intended for Kiptum’s wife has been locked and sealed, and she along with her children no longer reside there. Amid rumors suggesting Cheruiyot ousted his daughter-in-law due to the disputes, he refuted these claims.
“We locked and sealed the house but gave Asenath the key. She can enter at any time,” he clarified.
Rotich confirmed that she had no issues with her in-laws, though she admitted the difficulties of raising the children on her own.
“We had hoped our son would transform our lives, but since his passing, life has become harder than ever,” Cheruiyot lamented.
