Kenyans Sympathise With Eliud Kipchoge Over Family Receiving Threats Following Kelvin Kiptum's Death

• Eliud Kipchoge has opened up about how online abuses linking him to the death of the marathon record-holder Kelvin Kiptum affected him
• The two-time Olympic champion, in an interview, revealed that the negative stories on social media had him fearing for his life
• Kenyans have since sympathised with the teary Kipchoge on social media, with most comforting him over the matter

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has revealed the threats he received after Kelvin Kiptum's death that sent him into fear.

Was Kipchoge's family in danger?

Speaking to BBC, Kipchoge said the negative stories on social media made him fear for the lives of his family and close friends.

During the interview, Kipchoge was overwhelmed by emotions; at one point, he broke down in tears as he narrated how he shared the false accusation with his mother.

"My worst moment was (when) I tried to call my mum. She told me 'Just take care' and 'A lot has been going on," Kipchoge painfully recalled.

The veteran marathoner painfully recounted the accusations he saw on social media.

"I was shocked that people [on] social media platforms are saying 'Eliud is involved in the death of this boy.' That was the worst news ever in my life."

Netizens flocked to social media to comfort the athlete with touching messages, assuring him that God was in control.

Kenyans react to Kipchoge's revelation

Here is what they had to say:

Carey Mbush Carol:

"God knows it all, humans are just but humans. You suffered in silence and did well to remain silent amidst all; wisdom keeps leading you all the time."

Ashley's Ruth:

"It wasn't good to.judge him its only God who judges I can feel the pain."

Junior Peters:

"The deepest sin against the human mind is to believe things without evidence."

Opili Lizz Opili:

"We were almost forgetting this story. Take it to the Lord in prayer. It shall be well."

Kipchoge doesn't trust anyone

The athlete could not hold his tears as he recalled feeling unsafe for himself and his family after the wild rumours on social media.

He said he suffered threats on his life and his properties due to the false links and speculations that ran wild especially on X, formerly Twitter.

"I received lots of bad things with people saying they said they would burn my investments in town. That was the worst news I ever had... What happened has [made] me not trust anybody. Even my own shadow, I will not trust" he said.

What you need to know about Kelvin Kiptum's death

Detectives from DCI visited three restaurants within Eldoret, where Kelvin Kiptum visited on the day he had an accident.

DCI recovered CCTV footage showing the last moments of the late world marathon record-holder.

Kiptum's father, Samsom Cheruiyot, called for investigations, claiming four unknown people visited his home a few days before Kiptum's death.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Eliud Kipchoge arrives at the "Princesa de Asturias" Awards at Teatro Campoamor on October 20, 2023 (left). The late Kelvin Kiptum attends the international elite men's press conference in London on April 20, 2023, ahead of the London marathon (right.)

Kenyans Sympathise with Eliud Kipchoge Over Family Receiving Threats

Shock as ELIUD KIPCHOGE says his family is living in fear following the