The High Court has rejected a plea to halt World Marathon holder Kelvin Kiptum’s burial set for Friday in a paternity case by a woman claiming to have a child with him.
The 22-year-old woman, Edna Owuor, filed the application alleging she had a child with the late marathoner, who died in an accident alongside his Rwandese coach, Gervais Hakizimana, on February 11, 2023.
Through her lawyer, Joseph Oyaro, Owuor argued that their one-year and seven-month-old child’s rights might be jeopardized if the burial proceeded without proper consideration.
However, the High Court in Eldoret dismissed the application, stating insufficient justification to halt the burial proceedings.
Owuor showed up in court with the toddler in tow, requesting a postponement of the Friday burial due to his absence from the funeral plans.
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To establish paternity, she also asked for DNA testing.
Since elaborate burial plans had already been planned at significant cost, Justice Robert Wananda felt it was unfair to postpone the burial.
Kiptum’s body has been moved from the mortuary in Eldoret to his residence in preparation for the funeral.
