Gervais Hakizimana: Family of Kelvin Kiptum’s coach will receive support from Kenya

Kenya’s government will donate 5m Kenyan shillings (£26,964) to support the family of athletics coach Gervais Hakizimana following his death.

The Rwandan, 36, died alongside Kenyan marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, whom he coached, in a road accident on 11 February.

The announcement from Kenya’s sports cabinet secretary Ababu Namwamba came as Hakizimana’s funeral was held in Kigali on Wednesday.

“In losing Hakizimana alongside Kiptum, Kenya, Rwanda, East Africa, and Africa have lost big time,” said Namwamba.

Kiptum had set a new marathon record in Chicago last year, clocking a time of two hours and 35 seconds to better compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s previous mark over 26.2 miles (42km) by 34 seconds.

The 24-year-old celebrated alongside Hakizimana, who had begun coaching him in 2018.

“It was really a collaboration made in heaven,” Namwamba added.

“Observing the two young men, you could see this was not just a coach and an athlete. They were brothers. Brothers in life and as they are brothers in death.

“We have two young men who have exited the stage when the dance was just starting, and we celebrate their lives and will remember them eternally.”

Hakizimana was buried in the presence of many Rwandan and Kenyan athletes and family members, but, to the surprise of many, the Rwandan government was not represented at the ceremony.