A 22-year-old woman claiming to have sired a child with world record holder Kelvin Kiptum on Thursday, February 22, revealed intricate details of her secret relationship with the marathoner.
Speaking to the media, Edna Awuor described Kiptum as a loving father who catered to the baby's needs.
She noted that before his demise in a car accident, the marathoner had promised to send her money to support her financial situation.
"The last time I spoke with him was that Sunday when he informed me that he was coming to Eldoret and he would provide me with the cash I needed to cater to the baby's needs," she stated.
Awuor explained that she shared an intimate relationship with Kiptum as they lived together as a family.
"We have been living together. The only time we didn't is when I gave birth and had to go back to my parents' home," she added.
The 22-year-old claimed that Kiptum's relatives failed to recognise her and the baby and also locked her out of the burial process. She also alleged that the family chose not to include the minor in the eulogy.
The woman had filed a petition in court seeking to halt Kiptum's burial process slated for Friday, February 23, pending the hearing of the case. She also sought an order for the athlete's DNA sample to be taken to prove the baby's paternity.
"I filed the petition because we sired a baby with the late Kiptum and sought legal grounds to ensure the baby's taken care of. Now that he's gone, I don't know who will be assisting me to take care of the baby. She is one year and seven months," Awuor remarked.
"It is also important that the court acknowledges the baby belongs to Kiptum."
Justice Robert Wananda of the High Court, however, declined to grant the orders, confirming that the athlete's burial was a matter of public interest.
"Burial arrangements of the deceased are at an advanced stage and, therefore, stopping the burial may be disruptive, considering the resources that have been put in," the judge ruled on Thursday, February 22.
Kiptum is set to be buried at his home in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County in a ceremony that will be graced by President William Ruto.
