After a week of backbreaking work, construction workers on Kelvin Kiptum’s house can stand at a distance and admire their handiwork. Kelvin Kiptum: Mixed Reactions as Marathoner’s House Built in 7 Days Comes to Completion The house, funded by the government of Kenya and commissioned by President William Ruto, was built with a focus on Kiptum’s burial. With the house completed and ready for occupation, photos shared online have sparked a wave of both admiration and scepticism among Kenyans. The house, majorly built of steel and glass panels, features modern technology and a spacious design. Since construction began, the house has captured the attention of both proponents and critics. Many praised the team of builders who worked around the clock to finish the project in record time. However, not everyone is convinced of the quality of the construction and workmanship, with some expressing concerns about its aesthetics and durability. Josephine Kagendo Stegeman: “It’s called “Lantern House.” Exposure clears primitivity. some of us learn to keep our mouths shut to avoid embarrassing ourselves.” Allan Lawrence “But the one in the photos didn’t look like a flat roof, why are we being short-changed?” Chrystal Rose: “Mazishi sio emergency. They could have held on with the burial so that the house would be nicely done and finished! Mazishi ikiisha kesho kama nyumba haitakua imekamilika ni hivyo.” Fredrick Chogo: “This is the method used in the construction of the sky-scrappers you see in Dubai and Gulf countries. I’m in the construction industry only that the execution was poorly implemented.” As the focus shifts to the marathoner’s burial, many will be on the lookout to see whether the speedy construction will stand the test of time and satisfy the doubts of naysayers.
by Hillary Lisimba