The DCI detectives followed Kelvin Kiptum final moments prior to the collision, which also resulted in the death of his coach, Garvais Hakizimana.
The famous athlete stopped at three hotels that evening before leaving for home, and police obtained information from them.
Kelvin Kiptum, whose commitment to and skill on the track were unparalleled, passed away doing seemingly ordinary things without realizing what fate had in store for him.
The Talex Inn Restaurant Pub and Car Wash, a gathering place for both locals and athletes, was the first destination. It is situated along the picturesque Iten-Eldoret road.
CCTV footage shows Kelvin Kiptum’s car at Talex Inn Restaurant Pub and Car Wash in Eldoret
CCTV footage obtained from the establishment shows the athlete’s Toyota Premio entering the joint.
In the video, Kiptum is seen conversing with an unidentified man before the two left for an unknown location.
Later Kiptum and his companions made their way to The Well Irish Pub and Restaurant at Rupa Mall.
Jeremy Kipkorir, a supervisor at the establishment, noted their arrival at 6:36 pm and departure shortly before 9:00 pm.
The final leg of their journey took them to The Grand Miarmir Guest House in Annex, off the Eldoret-Nairobi highway, about 14 kilometres away from Rupa Mall.
According to the security checkpoint, the vehicle arrived at 9:12 p.m. suggesting that the journey to a little over 10 minutes.
Google Map showing Kelvin Kiptum’s movements on the fateful night he got into an accident
It was here that Kiptum, Hakizimana, and Chepkurui shared a meal, with Kiptum opting for his favoured dish of meat and boiled bananas.
The guest house’s director, Elphas Sitienei, confirmed their presence and their choice to spend time in the VIP lounge.
The serene evening took a tragic turn as the trio departed from The Grand Miarmir Guest House at about 10:16 p.m when he paid the bill via mobile money, embarking on a drive toward the training base in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet.
The accident occurred at Flax Junction, a mere 36 kilometres from their last known location.
Initial investigations suggest that the vehicle, a Toyota Premio, veered off the road at high speed, colliding with a tree in a devastating crash.
Despite the absence of mechanical defects or adverse weather conditions, the accident’s cause remains under scrutiny, with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and local police offering insights into the vehicle’s condition and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The site of the accident, now marked by flowers and a wooden poster bearing ‘Kiptum Road’, stands as a poignant reminder of the fateful night.
According to police, the survivor of the accident, Sharon, said she alerted Kiptum about the vehicle veering off the road but it was too late.
