This archive report was first published on 10 October 2019.
On October 10, 2019, Deputy President William Ruto announced that he would be leaving the country to support world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge in the historic INEOS 1:59 challenge in Vienna, Austria.
Speaking at Malinya grounds in Kakamega, DP Ruto expressed his regret at missing the burial of former Senator Boni Khalwale's first wife, Adelaide, on Saturday, citing his official capacity in Vienna.
DP Ruto stated that he would be representing the government and extending its support to Kipchoge at the highly anticipated event, which is funded by British billionaire Sir James Ratcliffe.
"I would have wished to be here on Saturday, but I will not be able to come because Kenya is a sports nation, and we have one of our own making history by becoming the first man to run a marathon in under two hours," DP Ruto said.
He added, "Kenyans have said that their government must be represented when that history is made. For that reason, President Uhuru Kenyatta and I have agreed that I will go to ensure the flag of Kenya is flown high."
DP Ruto's wife, Rachel Ruto, had earlier expressed her intention to be in Vienna to cheer on Kipchoge, just as she was present in Italy when he broke the world record in 2017.
"We celebrate our own Eliud Kipchoge! Just like we did in 2017 in Monza, Italy, when he broke the world record running the marathon in 2:00:25, we will be there once again in Vienna, Austria, cheering him on as the greatest marathoner of all time," Rachel Ruto tweeted.
