Senator Cheptumo eulogised as peace loving man, defender of devolution

The late Baringo County Senator William Kipkiror Cheptumo has been eulogised as a peace loving and generous man.

On Thursday, leaders described Cheptumo as a man of integrity, humility and who gave his whole to serve his community.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi eulogised him as a man whose name was synonymous with humanity, wisdom, and self-service and always smartly dressed.

“I received the news of his passing on Sunday, February 16, 2005. It came with a deep shock, and the weight of his absence is still heavy in our hearts. Today, as we pay tribute to him, we remember a patriot, a diligent patrician, and a leader who devoted his life to uplifting the people of Baringo County and Kenya at large,” said Kingi in a requiem mass held at African Inland Church of Kenya Nairobi.

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“Whether on the floor of the House, in the committee deliberations, or during informal engagements, he would always come amidst the storm. Even in heated debates, he never raised his voice unnecessarily. Senator Cheptumo belonged to the category I would describe as calm. Let me not describe the remaining senators,” he added.

He was recognised for the current peace being enjoyed in Baringo county, thanks to his efforts.

Cheptumo was first elected as MP in 2008 and Senator in 2022 and has been an Assistant Minister of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs.

He served as chairman in the committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Affairs and member of Lands, Environment and Natural Resources and Justice, legal Affairs and Human Rights Commitees.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the late senator wife was his classmate in Law School and they graduated on March 11, 2005.

Murkomen described him as one of members of the National Assembly, who was keen on implementation of the devolution.

“I just want to say that Mr Cheptumo was such a close and good friend. I will repeat here that I know many of us are Christians and are in politics, and I will not be far from the truth to say that many of us struggled with our faith, but honourable Cheptumo was the same as a politician, as the same as a Christian. He radiated his faith even when he was in politics,” he said.

The CS said Baringo leaders could bear witness that Cheptumo would crisscross the two constituencies of the County with ease because he was accepted by the communities.

“But what's important for us who are in leadership is to copy his example, not just to say it here, but to become real, true peacemakers. I believe that the legacy has left behind the efforts he put to make sure that the peace in Kerio Valley shall be fulfilled in our time,” said Kichumba.

He added: “And I believe that even as we have now, we have reduced the acts of banditry by almost 70 percent because of the work that was done in the last two years. I believe the remaining 30 percent, I will play a role with others to make sure that we get rid of this problem of banditry from our midst.”

Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi said the late Cheptumo was one of the leaders who said nothing negative and his pursuit for peace was unparalleled.

"Cheptumo was indeed a paragon of humility, peacemaker in our county. He was one of the very few Senators who woule not say anything negative about the County. He would guide and counsel us on what right things to do. He was a peacemaker and would quote Mathew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Cheboi said.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot described Cheptumo as a humble man. National Assembly  Minority Leader Sylvanus Osoro said Cheptumo was a great, soft-spoken person.

“He was indeed a great man, a soft spoken and firm man and I think what many might have skipped to say is that he was also very smart and neat, I don’t know if he always walked with a brush in his bag because his shoes were very neat,” Osoro said.

Senate Minority Leader Ledama Ole Kina (Narok) described the late senator as a gentleman and a defender of devolution and was always helping his people with school fees among other needs.

The late senator’s widow Hannah Wendot Cheptumo, described her husband as a loving, supportive faithful, generous man, who carried the weight of the family struggles silently and never burdened her with worries.

"Our first real challenge came when our son Anthony, was born prematurely, requiring a month-long hospital stay," said Hannah.

She added: "Every single day, William came to the hospital, sitting by my side and encouraging me through it all. The nurses and doctors would often remark 'what a loving husband!" That was who he was, steadfast, supportive and faithful."

A lawyer by profession, just like her husband, Hannah said her husband encouraged her to pursue  legal profession and paid for her university fees.

“As I worked as a cooperative officer, William encouraged me to study law," she said.

"He told me, Anne, you need to do law because I am running a business and in the event that I die, the business will not survive. I hesitated but he assured me, saying, Go for it, I will pay your fees in full. And true to his word, at the beginning of every semester, he cleared all my school fees,” said Hannah.

She also said Cheptumo was a guide, cheerleader, teacher and a role model for her three children Jean Jeptoo, Andrew Rotich and Antony Kipchirchir, who are also lawyers.

"He saw them through school, shaped their careers and instilled in them the values of faith, kindness and discipline.

"He took them out for dinners and trips, made time to celebrate every birthday and in the evenings he would sing hymns with them, filling our home with love and warmth. These are the things his children will miss the most- an ever present father who led with love and faith," she said.

She said her late husband was a generous man. Cheptumo’s His first born Antony Kipchirchir said despite the pain and struggles of his past life, his father never allowed bitterness to take root.

"Instead, he chose time and time again to reach for light," said Kipchirchir.

He thanked God for the time they shared as a family, for the “lessons on forgiveness and humility, guidance on respect and order and for the "countless lectures and mini -symposiums" on politics, interwoven with the complexity of human psychology.”

He added: "Coming to terms with his passing will never be easy. I have lost not just a father but a friend."

Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo described Senator Cheptumo, who ran Cheptumo and Company Advocates, as one who championed legislative reforms and national cohesion.

"As a legislator, he was a firm advocate for devolution and worked tirelessly to address issues affecting his constituents. His leadership was marked by wisdom, diplomacy and an innate understanding of the needs of his people," said Odhiambo in a speech read on her behalf by LSK Nairobi branch chairman Eric Kivuva.

"As LSK, we stand in solidarity with all who mourn this great loss, knowing that Sen. Cheptumo's unwavering service to the law and the nation will forever be remembered. As we reflect on his remarkable life, let us honour his memory by upholding the values he so passionately championed; justice, fairness, and service to humanity," she said.

Cheptumo died on February 16, 2025 at the age of 57. He will be buried in Bartabwa village on March  1, 2025.