Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday obtained CCTV footage which was used to piece together world record holder Kelvin Kiptum’s final movements before his untimely death.
The team of top DCI detectives led by homicide director Martin Nyuguto established that Kiptum visited three different restaurants on the fateful night, Sunday, February 11.
Kiptum was seen parking his car at the Alex Inn Restaurant which is located along the Iten-Eldoret highway. After alighting, Kiptum conversed with a middle-aged man before leaving for a different destination.
He was then seen at another hotel, the Well Irish Pub and Restaurant located at Rupa Mall in Eldoret town. According to detectives, the marathoner arrived at the hotel in the company of Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana and a lady believed to be the accident survivor, Sharon Cheruiyot.
Detectives claimed the three arrived at the hotel at around 6 pm and left at around 8.58 pm.
Revelations by customers of the Well Irish Pub and Restaurant indicated that the runner was a regular visitor at the eatery.
After leaving Rupa Mall, Kiptum and his acquaintances proceeded to Grand Miarmir Guest House in Annex, situated off the Eldoret-Nairobi highway, about 14 kilometres from Rupa Mall.
The last supper: Kiptum arrived at the third hotel at around 9:12 pm where he shared a meal with his coach and the lady. Reports indicated that they ordered a meal comprising meat and boiled bananas.
“He arrived here at around 9.12 pm and parked his vehicle then ordered food, meat and bananas, and ate it all before leaving here at around 10.15 pm,” narrated a worker at the Grand Miarmir Guest House.
According to records at the gate, Kiptum left the third hotel at around 10.25 pm, 45 minutes before he crashed along the Eldoret-Kaptagat Road around 11 pm.
Survivor narrates last moments: The survivor Sharon Cheruiyot countered reports that the car malfunctioned before the crash, stating that it was in good condition.
She added that while seated in the back seat, she alerted Kiptum that the vehicle was veering off the road. However, by the time Kiptum realised the same, it was too late for him to steer the vehicle back to stability.
Police concurred with her statement, and ruled out foul play in the accident.
