In a heart-wrenching video that has set social media ablaze, Mzee Samson Cheruiyot, father of the late marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, has claimed a "powerful government official" and his daughter-in-law are conspiring to deny him access to his son’s multi-million shilling estate.

Nearly two years after the tragic road accident that claimed the life of the athletic prodigy, the family’s wounds remain raw, not just from grief but from what Mzee Cheruiyot describes as "economic strangulation." Speaking from his homestead in Chepkorio, the visibly emaciated father painted a picture of destitution that stands in stark contrast to the millions his son earned on the global stage.

"We Are Sleeping in the Rain"

"I have gone through hell," Mzee Cheruiyot lamented, his voice trembling with emotion. "People think we are eating money, but look at this house. When it rains, we migrate to the corner because the roof is leaking. Is this how the father of a world champion should live?"

The sensational allegations center on a video shared on TikTok, where Cheruiyot accuses his daughter-in-law, Asenath Rotich, of colluding with a high-ranking government official to ring-fence Kiptum’s assets. According to the patriarch, this "powerful individual" escorted Asenath to Rotterdam in April 2024—just two months after the burial—where they allegedly finalized deals to divert the athlete’s earnings.

• The "Rotterdam Conspiracy": Cheruiyot claims that during this trip, critical financial decisions were made without the knowledge of Kiptum’s parents, effectively cutting them off.
• The Agent’s Role: The family has also pointed fingers at Kiptum’s foreign management agency, Golazo, with Cheruiyot alleging that agent Mark Corstjens has been "playing hide and seek" with the family’s inquiries regarding unpaid bonuses.

A House Divided

The accusations have ripped the veil off a bitter succession row that has been simmering since the marathoner’s burial in February 2024. While the state built a three-bedroom house for the widow, Kiptum’s parents claim they were promised similar support that never materialized.

"They told us the money is for the children," Cheruiyot stated, standing next to his son’s grave. "But are we not the ones who raised him? Now I hear reports that the money is being kept safe while we starve. I am cursing those who are eating my son’s sweat while his parents suffer."

The saga has sparked a furious debate in the Rift Valley, pitting traditional elders who demand respect for the patriarch against modern legal statutes that prioritize the spouse and children. As the family feud plays out in the court of public opinion, the legacy of the man who ran the fastest marathon in history risks being overshadowed by the squabbles over his fortune.