Four men who visited Kelvin Kiptum's home days before his death speak out

The four men who visited marathoner Kelvin Kiptum's father days before the athlete died presented themselves to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office in Kaptagat on Wednesday morning for questioning.

The quartet, who were summoned after Kiptum's father denied knowing them, surrendered to police in Kaptagat and were ferried to the area police headquarters in Iten where they recorded statements on why they were looking for the late Kiptum.

The four men reportedly sought out Kiptum to discuss the particulars of a Ksh.45 million contract signed between the late marathoner and a Chinese company.

Sources told Citizen TV that the athlete had opted to pay back the Chinese company, but the company was only interested in having the athlete fulfill his contractual obligation and not a legal battle so they sent the four to negotiate a deal.

"The Chinese company was to supply sports equipment to Kiptum to be used during the Chicago marathon and it is alleged that Kiptum opted to use a different brand and not the Chinese brand as agreed," Elgeyo Marakwet CCIO Joshua Chelal told Citizen TV.

"Therefore they (Chinese company) were aggrieved and sent the four men to negotiate whether they could be compensated or whether they would be given another opportunity to supply Kiptum equipment for the forthcoming Rotterdam race slated for April 2024."

The quartet's lawyer, Kipyegon Lagat, told Citizen TV that his clients are well known to Kiptum's family, further adding that the four had a fruitful discussion with the late marathoner during their interaction.

"None of my clients were sent from State House as alleged by sections of the media," said Lagat.

The lawyer's clients are not under arrest but are required to report back to the CCIO on Friday as investigations continue.

In the meantime, burial preparations of the late Kiptum have began with the organising committee indicating that the late athlete will be interred at this home on Saturday, February 24.