President William Ruto on Friday vowed to reward world record marathoner Kelvin Kiptum with another house.
While addressing a congregation during Kiptum's burial, the head of state noted the house under the affordable housing project will be under the wife's name, Asenath Rotich.
Ruto stated the government had also gifted Ksh5 million to the deceased's family as had earlier been promised.
"Just the way we had said, we have already given the family Ksh5 million and now the government will give him another new house beside the house we have built here and it will belong to his wife," Ruto announced.
While mourning the deceased, Ruto termed Kiptum as a man with a great heart and that his untimely death was a message to all Kenyans.
According to Ruto, Kiptum was an ambitious, disciplined and focused person and despite being from a humble background, his hard work made him known.
"He worked against the odds. In Kelvin, we saw the future of athletics in Kenya. He stood out not only as a great athlete but more importantly as a good person. He was ambitious, disciplined and focused," Ruto narrated.
Veteran athletes were also challenged to help monitor the upcoming ones to avoid such incidents as the death of Kiptum. He also urged Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to open a pension fund for athletes when they retire.
President William Ruto's latest decision comes a week after the head of state sent engineers to Kiptum's homestead with instructions to build a three-bedroom house.
Ruto directed the experts to construct the house within seven days before the athlete's burial which took place on February 23.
According to Kiptum's father, it was Kiptum's last wish to build a home for him before the athlete met his tragic death in a road accident.
While commenting on the matter, Kiptum's wife, Asenath Jeruto revealed the athlete had already drafted his architectural plans for the dream house which was approved by the county government.
