Edna Awuor, a 22-year-old woman who asserts that she is the mother of a baby girl fathered by the late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum, made a unexpected appearance at his burial to bid him farewell and pay her respects.
However, her presence was met with exclusion as she was denied access to the VIP dias, where Kiptum’s family members and other dignitaries were seated.
Despite this setback, Awuor stood silently, observing the burial proceedings from a distance.
Awuor had previously voiced grievances against Kiptum’s relatives, accusing them of neglecting to acknowledge her and their daughter.
She lamented being barred from participating in the burial rites and rituals.
On Thursday, a High Court in Eldoret refused to issue an order stopping the burial of Kelvin Kiptum after Edna Owuor claimed to have fathered a baby girl aged one year and seven months.
Edna legal recognition for herself and her child as beneficiaries of Kiptum’s estate, prompting a legal battle that has garnered significant attention.
In her application before Magistrate Robert Wananda, Edna sought an order to halt Kiptum’s burial until their claims were recognized.
She also requested DNA testing to establish the paternity of her child. Edna argued that her daughter is Kiptum’s biological offspring and, therefore, entitled to inherit from his considerable estate.
However, she expressed frustration that Kiptum’s family had refused to acknowledge them, even excluding the child’s name from funeral arrangements and the eulogy.
Edna’s lawyer, Joseph Ayaro, emphasized the importance of DNA testing to verify paternity, a critical aspect in determining inheritance rights. He argued that denying Edna and her daughter recognition would be a violation of their rights and urged the court to intervene in the matter.
However, Magistrate Wananda dismissed Edna’s application, citing the advanced stage of burial preparations and the public interest in the matter. He expressed concerns that halting the burial could cause disruptions, considering the resources already invested in the arrangements.
By Newsday