A woman who went to court seeking to block Kelvin Kiptum’s burial by alleging the departed marathoner fathered a child with her has explained why she took the decision.
Edna Awuor, the woman who went to court seeking to stop Kelvin Kiptum’s burial, has explained why she wanted the late world marathon record holder’s funeral halted.
Awuor was thrust into the limelight on Thursday when Eldoret High Court Judge Justice Robert Wananda declined her application to have Kiptum’s burial stopped until samples are taken from him to prove that her 19-month old child was fathered by the departed athlete.
Speaking after the court hearing, Awuor said all she wanted was to have her child get support from the athlete’s estate since the deceased’s family had declined to recognise her.
13:20 - 22.02.2024
ATHLETICS High Court dismisses Kelvin Kiptum’s alleged ‘baby mama’ who sought to stop his burial
The High Court in Eldoret has declined to stop Kelvin Kiptum’s burial after a woman who claimed to be the mother of his child sought orders to halt it until she is recognised.
“I have come to court because I have a child with the late Kelvin and I needed help because he has been supporting the child and now that he is no more, I do not know who will help,” Awuor told Nation.
“My request was that my child also gets support. The child is one year and seven months and he [Kiptum] has supported him since he was born until the day he died.
“I wanted the court to help me do a DNA to ascertain that the child was his so that he continues getting support just like his other children.”
15:04 - 22.02.2024
ATHLETICS Five interesting facts about Edna Awuor-The woman at center of Kelvin Kiptum paternity case
Edna Awuor legally challenges the paternity of her child with late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum, seeking DNA proof and recognition amidst public skepticism.
Awuor had filed her application through a certificate of urgency, telling the judge that the family of the athlete had completely blocked her and did not include her child in the funeral programme.
However, Justice Wananda declined her request, saying the athlete’s burial was a matter of public interest, while advising her to seek other legal avenues to ensure the child is well taken care of.
“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,” Justice Wananda ruled.
15:33 - 22.02.2024
ATHELTICS Faith Kipyegon amongst hundreds to view Kelvin Kiptum’s body at Iten Grounds ahead of his burial
Hundreds of people lined up to view Kelvin Kiptum’s body at Iten Grounds ahead of his burial on Friday, including Faith Kipyegon.
Awuor also revealed her last moments with Kiptum and when she learnt of his tragic death following a road accident on February 11.
“We spoke that very Sunday, he said he was coming to Eldoret in the evening and would give me some money to buy whatever I needed for the baby. I learnt of his death around midnight,” she added.
The body of Kiptum, who will be buried on Friday, left the Eldoret Hospital mortuary on Thursday morning headed to Iten where athletes and members of the public paid their last respects before it was taken to his Chepsamo village ahead of the burial at his Naiberi farm in Uasin Gishu county.
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