The family of athletics coach Gervais Hakizimana on Friday, February 16, rejected the autopsy results, citing inconsistencies in the examination.
According to the post-mortem examination conducted by pathologist Dr Benson Macharia, the Rwandese trainer died as a result of a head injury.
Dr Macharia added that the body also had fractures on the head and neck area, similar to a police report which indicated that Hakizimana and World record holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident.
“He died of intracranial bleeding due to head injury which is consistent with head injuries. The neck and head had fractures, which are consistent with the accident report," Macharia stated.
Hakizimana's family, however, insisted that the nature of the injuries was not consistent with the initial appearance of the deceased moments after the accident.
“When we viewed him, he did not have fractures at all. We therefore reject this report," Sandrine Hakizimana, the coach's niece, stated.
She appealed to the government to probe the incident further to determine if there was foul play in the tragedy.
“We want investigations commenced as we are not satisfied with the post-mortem report,” Sandrine added.
Hakizimana died alongside Kiptum on Sunday, February 11, in a road accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road.
Preliminary investigations conducted by a team led by Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Peter Mulinge established that the car was in good mechanical condition at the time of his death, ruling out foul play speculations.
Following the tragedy, Hakizimana's widow, Joan Jelimo, noted that the relationship between the coach and Kiptum emanated since childhood.
“Kiptum used to pass by our home, and sleep in our house in Nairobi before flying out for his races,” she stated.
“Even as Kiptum’s coach, my husband was a hero to me, to my daughter, to Kenyans, and the whole athletics fraternity,” she added.
