A High Court in Eldoret has refused to issue an order stopping the burial of international marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum after a 22-year-old woman claimed to have fathered a baby girl aged one year and seven months.
Edna Awuor Otieno sought 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.
Despite the setback, Wananda assured Edna that there were alternative legal avenues available to establish her child’s paternity and secure her rights as a beneficiary. He emphasized that the court’s decision did not preclude Edna from pursuing other legal remedies to safeguard her interests and those of her daughter.
Following the court’s ruling, Edna’s lawyer expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome and indicated intentions to explore other legal options.
