Engineer Ian Singoei Kiprotich.
The circumstances under which Engineer Ian Singoei Kiprotich went missing on New Year’s Day, only for his lifeless body to be discovered floating in a water body in Mwiki area, Kasarani, four days later have not been unravelled.
The parents of the 26-year mechanical engineer in a tearful tribute said they had forgiven whoever may have caused the death of their son, and that they would not pursue investigations into the case as they have left vengeance to God.
Several of his friends and college mates said the deceased was a lively, loving, disciplined young man who was always ready and willing to help others, and that he did not have any known enemies before he met his death.
Dr John Korir, the Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner, and his wife Pauline Chemutai Korir, the Chief Officer for Gender and Social Services at the Bomet County Government, opened up for the first time on the pain they have endured in the last two weeks.
The pain of losing a child in the formative stages of his career after spending a lot of money on their education, and ensuring they have a good upbringing and morals to help them face the challenges life presents, captured the couple’s dilemma.
Ian, who was born on February 10, 1998, left his parents’ home in Bomet on December 29, 2024, for Nairobi where he ushered in the New Year in Kasarani with friends.
However, hours into 2025, he went missing, with his phone having been switched off at around 2.39am, according to a signal picked by Safaricom following inquiries from officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Drowning
A search ensued in the area, with matatu touts and boda boda riders joining family and friends in a search that ended on January 4, when his body was discovered floating in water.
Subsequently, a postmortem conducted on the body showed that Ian died by drowning. But it is not clear whether he fell into the water or was pushed into it.
During the funeral held at Sofia village in Siongiroi location, Chepalungu Constituency of Bomet County on Saturday, Dr Korir and his wife exonerated their son from cases of abductions witnessed in the country or other criminal activities, including cybercrime that that youths have been engaged in.
The lid on the kind of a person the deceased was and the life he lived was opened by the tributes from friends and relatives, with the outpouring of grief from mourners.
“We would not have found Ian’s body even after days of searching had it not been for persistent prayers from the clergy, family, relatives and friends. We are still in agony,” Mrs Korir said.
“A clergyman prayed for us and revealed that Ian was not in a police cell, hospital or mortuary, but in a water body. Indeed, the following day, police recovered the body from a water body in Mwiki that we have not been to (scene) as a family.”
She told mourners that to date they do not know the name of the water body in which their son allegedly drowned.
“Ian was a performing artiste, a trait he took from us (parents). He had a YouTube channel, a polite, industrious and disciplined young man. Whoever took his life, we forgive you. You will go with your sins. Vengeance belongs to God. May God protect my other surviving children,” Mrs Korir said.
She said that even if the family decided to follow the case, they would not have his life back.
“As we lay you to rest, your life was far too brief. You were a remarkably young man whose compassion for others knew no bounds. The pain left behind is unfathomable,” she said.
The distraught mother repeatedly paused as she fought back tears, as the mourners followed in silence, others wiping away tears, as she told the moving story of how the family searched for their missing son in the hope of finding him alive, but unfortunately found his lifeless body.
“As your mother, I wanted nothing more than to protect you from life’s hardships. I wished to shield you from pain, to guide you through every obstacle. But life has its own plans, and I am left here grappling with a sorrow that feels unbearable,” Mrs Korir said.
Dr Korir revealed that his wife had not spoken since the lifeless body of their son was found after missing for days and that it was surprising she had the strength to address the mourners in the manner that she did without breaking down.
Forgive him
“If there is a person who took Ian’s life, then he should know that we have forgiven him as a family and we are praying to God to also forgive him. We pray that his children do not go through the same pain we have been subjected to,” Dr Korir said.
“I thought I was strong, but when the body was found and it had to be taken to the mortuary and postmortem conducted, I felt I was at a breaking point. It was so devastating. I delegated the responsibility of taking the body to the mortuary and overseeing the postmortem to Siongiroi Member of the County Assembly Kibet Ngetich (bursar), a role he played perfectly well. I could not stand all that.”
Dr Korir said the family had big hopes in Ian.
“We took him to the best schools and he excelled in his pursuit of a mechanical engineering career and mentored our other children to follow his path. I always wanted to protect you from the hardships of this world... It pains me to know that I could not shield you from this tragedy. I am left heartbroken, longing to hear your voice once more, to feel the warmth of your embrace, and to share in your dreams,” Dr Korir stated.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the loss of a child was devastating to a parent, especially when the departed was starting off his career.
“The grief of loss is made lighter by words of encouragement from the friends and family,” Mr Murkomen stated.
Dr Abdi Hassan, the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, said when Dr Korir called him and revealed his son was missing, he told him to immediately take off from his duties to lead the search.
“I told Dr Korir he had no business staying at his station when his son was missing. When he called a few days later to say his son’s lifeless body had been found and positively identified, I was devastated,” Dr Hassan said.
Thousands of mourners at the homestead braved a rainfall that interspersed the sendoff, with dignitaries flying in with three helicopters and motor vehicles for the final rites.
Principal Secretary for Interior Dr Raymond Omollo, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Judicial Service Commission Vice Chairman Isaac Ruto, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Wesley Rotich – Members of Parliament – Victor Koech (Chepalungu), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Johana Ngeno (Emurrua Dikirr) and Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ngelechei.
