The parents of the late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum have opened up about their struggles since the death of their only son, revealing the challenges they face despite past promises of support.
In a heartfelt video shared online, Mzee Samson Cheruiyot and his wife expressed their disappointment with the harsh realities they now endure daily.
Mzee Cheruiyot disclosed that, although they initially felt hopeful for assistance, they were reportedly asked to remain silent about their hardships.
“I am Kelvin Kiptum’s father, and I am here with his mother. What we want to share with Kenyans is simple. The situation we are in would be better expressed than kept silent. We tried to reach out on social media, but it was blocked. Now, we wonder if it’s worth suffering in silence,” he said.
Kiptum’s mother expressed sorrow, saying her late son would be heartbroken if he saw their current conditions.
Following Kiptum’s death in a road accident, his father, mzee Cheruiyot, was left with the pain of losing his only child. Observing the parents’ grief and challenges, it is evident that they face difficult circumstances. Cheruiyot explained that they had intended to discuss their struggles openly for some time but had been restricted from doing so.
“I am Kelvin Kiptum’s father, and I’m here with his mother. We want to make a simple request to Kenyans. The situation we’re in should be shared, not silenced. We tried reaching out on social media, but it was blocked. If we’re suffering, shouldn’t we be allowed to express it?” he questioned.
The elderly man revealed that their home lacks basic necessities, such as a toilet, making it challenging to host guests.
“Since our son passed, we never imagined facing such hardship. We don’t have a toilet, and whenever someone visits, we worry. Our maize is ready in the fields, but we don’t know where to store it. Drinking water is also a constant struggle. We have to hire a tractor to bring us water, which is a huge burden. I kindly ask my late son’s friends to see what we’re going through; these struggles are overwhelming,” he shared.
Kiptum’s mother tearfully stated that her son would be shocked if he saw their current condition.
“Truly, we have faced many challenges. When it rains, the kitchen leaks, and I have shed many tears. If my son, World Champion Kiptum, could see the state of this kitchen, he would be shocked, wondering if it really belonged to his parents. We have truly suffered. Kiptum was our only child, our hope, the one who took care of us.”
