Kenya: The government of Kenya has paid their tribute to athletic coach Hakizimana Gervais. The government has donated a sum of KSH5Million to the coach’s family after his death on February 11.
The coach was widely renowned and respected for his contribution to the sports sector of the country. He has helped many talented athletes in achieving greatness in their careers and for the country.
Accordingly, the government of Kenya has donated through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports. The government acknowledged his contribution and hard work through the donation.
Notably, Gervais was Marathon Record holder Kelvin Kiptum’s coach at the time of his passing. Kiptum also died alongside the coach in the car accident. Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Creative Economy announced the donation.
CS Ababu Namwamba also paid tribute to the sports personality at the burial ceremony. The event was held at Kicukiro District, Masaka Sector, Kigali Rwanda on Wednesday.
The Cabinet Secretary recalled that the coach has made the country proud and that his loss is being felt throughout the nation.
CS Namwamba extended their condolences for the death on behalf of the president of Kenya and the whole country.
“Hakizimana was born in Rwanda but was a child of East Africa and a child of Africa. In losing him alongside Kiptum, Africa has lost big time,” said the CS.
Notably, when Kelvin Kiptum broke the world record CS Ababu Namwamba hosted both the late coach and Kiptum.
“I hosted Hakizimana and Kiptum for a special ceremony just 2 days after breaking the Marathon world record. Kiptum had just become the first human being to run a marathon below 2hrs and 1 minute and Hakizimana had just become the youngest coach to break a world record. It was really a collabo made in heaven,” he recalled.
CS Ababu eulogized Gervais and Kiptum as having exited the stage just when the dance was starting, assuring that the government of Kenya would stand with the families.
“This week was going to be a very special week. Kiptum was going to attempt to run a marathon in under 2hrs in Rotterdam and the last time i talked to them i could feel the excitement of looking forward to Rotterdam, and is incredibly painful that it shall not be.”
CS Ababu celebrated Kelvin Kiptum and Gervais for having lived as brothers in life and in death.