Deputy President William Ruto is expected to lead a host of high profile government dignitaries at the burial of former 400m world champion Nicholas Bett.
Bett who died in a road accident last week will be buried tomorrow at his Simat home in Lemook village, Uasin Gishu.
Bett will be laid to rest on Thursday at his Simat home in Lemuk village, Uasin Gishu County. The body left Moi Teaching and and referral hospital Mortuary on Wednesday.
The burial ceremony was earlier set for Friday but was pushed back after Government officials including National Police Service made a request. Athletics Kenya Central Rift Branch chairman Abraham Mutai said the family had confirmed the change of burial date.
The 28-year-old died in a road crash along Sochoi-Lessos Road last week just a day after returning from the continental championships in Nigeria.
Last week, President Kenyatta led the country in mourning the iconic athlete who some believe had died before realizing his full potential.
Deeply saddened by the death of former 400m hurdles World Champion Nicholas Bett who died today in a tragic road accident. Bett earned the country great honours in his outstanding victories. My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives and friends. pic.twitter.com/9Xgqt1tFr3
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) August 8, 2018
Bett made history in China by becoming the first Kenyan to win a gold medal in a short distance race at the world stage. He won the 400m hurdles finals at the 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijing in 47.79 world leading time, beating Russia’s Dennis Kudryavsten in 2015.
Elite Athlete Converge in Eldoret to Escort Bett
Elite and upcoming athletes Wednesday morning converged at the Eldoret Hospital mortuary to escort the body of former 400m hurdles world champion Nicholas Bett.
Bett, who died last week following a tragic road accident, will be buried at his Simat home in Uasin Gishu County on Thursday.
Among those who have arrived at the morgue to pay their last respects to Bett, 28, include Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, former World 1500m world champion Asbel Kiprop, former 800m world champions Janet Jepkosgei and Eunice Sum, Sally Kipyego (marathoner), former 5000m world junior champion Augustine Choge among others.
Bett, who was a police officer based at the Kondele Police station in Kisumu County, will be accorded the ceremonial police send off by his former comrades.
Dressed in their ceremonial attire, the officers arrived on Wednesday morning at the morgue to escort the deceased. Bett’s body was escorted in a state of the art hearse.
The burial of Bett was brought forward from Friday to Thursday following a request from the family.
Bett had landed a deal with Fenerbahce Istanbul in Turkey. He went to Simat Primary School before joining Paul Boit High School where they were transferred to Cheptil High School before getting an opportunity to serve in the National Police Service.