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Every Story Matters
Every Story Matters
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When Kelvin Kiptum shattered world records and brought global glory to Kenya, the world stood in awe. Behind the scenes, however, his parents, Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Kangongo, were living a far quieter, harsher reality. In the serene yet unforgiving lands of Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County, sits a modest government-constructed house meant to shelter the grieving parents of the late athletic prodigy. But a closer look reveals a different story, one of unkept promises, heartache, and lingering emptiness.
Despite the government's gesture of building them a house after Kiptum's tragic death, the structure stands more like a shell than a sanctuary. Furniture? None was provided. The couple sourced makeshift chairs from a nearby town, assembling a living room that feels more like a waiting room for assistance that never came.
Stepping into their bedroom, the starkness becomes even more pronounced. With a mattress laid directly on the floor and a single small bed pushed to the side, it is clear that comfort was never part of the plan. Their windows lack curtains, forcing them to hang a simple blanket as a makeshift shield from the cold and prying eyes.
As the world continues to celebrate Kiptum’s legacy on the track, his father, Cheruiyot, confesses to a more personal tradition. He often speaks to his late son, soft words whispered into the void of the night. Pleas for his return. Questions that will never be answered. It's a haunting routine, a father's desperate attempt to connect with the son who had promised better days.
"I still call out to him," Cheruiyot shared, his eyes reflecting the kind of pain no parent should ever know. "Sometimes, I wait, thinking he might just walk through that door."
While the government honored Kiptum’s widow, Asenath Rotich, with a home of her own, Kiptum's parents now reveal a painful gap. They have not seen their two grandchildren. Not once. Their absence has become yet another wound in an already bleeding heart, with no clear answers about their whereabouts or well-being.
In a twist, however, the family has openly embraced a child Kiptum fathered with another woman, Edna Awuor. Unlike the missing grandchildren, this little one has been warmly accepted. It's an act of grace that speaks volumes about the family’s longing to hold onto any remaining piece of their beloved son.
When Kelvin Kiptum died, the outpouring of national grief came with pledges of support. But now, as the dust of public mourning settles, the reality is painfully clear. Promises remain largely unmet. Beyond the house, there has been little else, no consistent support, no financial security, no sustained acknowledgment of the void left behind.
Online, Kenyans have expressed both outrage and empathy. While some offer words of comfort, others question why a family that gave the world a hero now lives in conditions so dire. Wasn't Kiptum's sacrifice, his dedication, and his achievements enough to secure his family a dignified life?
Kelvin Kiptum's name may live on in the record books, but his family's story is a sobering reminder that behind every victory is a household that bore the cost. Behind the medals are parents who prayed, sacrificed, and believed. And now, in the echo of his absence, they are left with empty promises and a home that feels more like a monument to what could have been.
As Kenya continues to celebrate its champions, there lies an urgent lesson. Glory cannot be the end of the story. The people behind these athletes, the families who shaped them, deserve more than fleeting sympathy. They deserve the same commitment that these athletes showed on the global stage.
For Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Kangongo, the race is far from over. But this time, they are running it alone.
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