Former Belgut MP Kiptarus Kirior dies

Former assistant minister for Culture and Social Services Kiptarus Kirior has died.

The former Belgut Member of Parliament died while undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital on Thursday.

“Mzee passed on at Nairobi Women’s Hospital after a short illness. He had blood pressure and was also diabetic,” said Mr Abraham Kirior, one of the former MP’s sons.

He added, “For the record, he was Covid-19 free according to tests undertaken and released to us at the hospital,”

He served as Belgut MP between 1983 and 1988 before he was beaten by the late Ayub Chepkwony. He, however, made a comeback to the National Assembly between 1992 and 1997.

“Kirior was an astute leader, who had the interest of his constituents at heart as demonstrated by his development track record which spans decades,” said Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony

Professor Chepkwony said “besides his legislative roles, Kirior was a great farmer who agitated for various reforms in the sugar industry, earning him leadership position in the Kenya Sugar Board and the Kenya Sugar Growers Association,”

Belgut MP Nelson Koech said Kericho residents had lost “a dedicated, down to earth leader who put the interests of the people he led ahead of his own,”

“It is unfortunate that Mzee Kirior has departed at a time when his wisdom was needed the most by members of his family and the society in general,” said Mr Koech in a statement.