Ruto promises 2nd house, Ksh5M and job for Kelvin Kiptum’s widow
President William Ruto has promised to build a second house for Kelvin Kiptum's widow Asenath Rotich and an additional Ksh5 million and a job.
Speaking during the burial of the world's fastest marathon runner, Ruto said that the government is forging a way to ensure all sportsmen in the country get training on how to use and invest the money they get from their sporting activities.
Ruto also promised to adjust the country's reward system for athletes and other sportsmen and women,
"We are going to adjust our reward system so that it is not just about money for today, that it also becomes money for the future. I'm asking Ababu (Namwamba) and your team to sit down and recalibrate our reward system so that there is money that is available, so that there is money given as a reward and there is also money put in a pension system to support the athletes after they retire," Ruto stated.
"For Kelvin, apart from the house we have built here, we'll give him a good house, for the widow. The government has also given the family Ksh5 million," Ruto added.
The government has been over the last week building a three-bedroom house for Kiptum's widow, which is now ready to be handed over to the family.
Ruto's call to veterans
Ruto has also called on coaches and veteran athletes to do more in mentoring young athletes to avoid such premature deaths.
"We all need to be mindful of our lifestyles so that we can avoid instances like this, that in a very young age, a very promising good Kenyan has lost his life. Coaches, parents and managers should do more to ensure that we mentor these young athletes into great sportsmen and women. People like Paul Tergat should do more. We will do our part as the government of Kenya and I implore others to do their parts," Ruto added.
Kiptum was buried on Friday, February 23, 2024, on the land he had bought to build his family a home.
