Former Cabinet Minister John Koech dies aged 79
John Kipsang Koech, a former Cabinet Minister.
Mr John Kipsang Koech, a former Cabinet Minister who served as Member of Parliament for Chepalungu constituency, has died after a long illness at the age of 79.
He died at Nairobi Hospital, where he was receiving treatment and the body has been moved to Lee Funeral Home.
In a short statement, the family announced that the former Minister had taken his final blow after an illness and that a comprehensive statement would be issued later.
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who is the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Vice Chairman and who competed against Mr Sang in nearly two decades of elections, is among those who were at the Lee Funeral home with the family when the body was taken for preservation on Tuesday.
Koech was born in Segemik in Olbutyo, Bomet county, and attended the local primary school before proceeding to Tenwek High school for his “O” and “A” level education and proceeded to Makerere University in Uganda for a Bachelor's degree in Economics, graduating in 1972.
Koech served in various capacities rising from an assistant minister in former President Daniel Moi to a Minister for Roads and Public Works.
In the same administration, he served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Permanent Representative – an ambassadorial position, after being defeated in the 1997 general election by a newcomer in politics Mr Isaac Kiprono Ruto.
August 1, 1997: A Minister of State in the Office of the President, Mr. John Koech (right), announces that he had resigned from the Cabinet with immediate effect. Mr. Koech, who was accompanied by a bodyguard, entered the Nakuru Nation bureau just before 5 pm and asked to be shown to the person in charge.
When he bounced back as a Member of Parliament in the 2002 general election, Koech was appointed by former President Mwai Kibaki as the Minister for East African Community.
Koech was dealt a permanent political blow in the 2007 election by Mr Ruto, who also made a comeback in the Chepalungu constituency politics.
The former Minister did not recover from the blow that he suffered, though he unsuccessfully attempted to run for the Bomet gubernatorial seat in the 2017 party primaries.
He was elected to parliament in 1979, beating former MP Kimunai Soi following and went on to serve until 1997 before making a comeback in 2002 but was defeated in 2007.
Condolences
President William Ruto and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula led Kenyans in mourning the former minister.
Mr Wetangula said, "Few will forget his towering influence in the education sector. As chair of the 1999 Commission of Inquiry into Kenya’s Education System, he steered what became the seminal ‘Koech Report’ a bold, visionary blueprint that proposed sweeping reforms, including the development of a dedicated curriculum for learners with special needs. That work remains a cornerstone of educational discourse in our country.
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto said the late Koech was a focused leader who contributed immensely to development in the country and back at his Chepalungu constituency.
“Koech was an icon of good leadership in our country, one that should be emulated by the current and aspiring leaders. His focus was always on improving the living standards of the people” Mr Ruto said.
Mr Ruto said even while holding influential office as a Cabinet Minister, he did not allow the trappings of power to drive him, choosing to live a simple life.
“I have received the news about the passing on of Ambassador Koech with shock and disbelief. He was an accomplished public servant who will be greatly missed” Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok said on Tuesday.
Chepalungu MP Victor Koech alias Mandazi said the constituency had lost “a father and a leader who is remembered for championing for the improvement of the socio-economic set up and well being of the people he led both as an active politician and a resident”
Mr Koech said “The immediate family, residents of Bomet county and Kenya at large has lost one of the crop of most dedicated and selfless leaders the country has ever produced. He is one of those who put the people’s issues that of his own”
Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei said, “It is a somber day as we come to terms with the passing on of Hon Ambassador Koech, a visionary leader whose contribution in the society have significantly shaped Chepalungu constituency and beyond”
“For two decades, he was a guiding light, offering wisdom and support to both seasoned and emerging leaders alike. His legacy will live on through the agricultural innovations he championed including the introduction of sweet potatoes and napier grass (in Chepalungu)” Mr Sigei said.
Mr Sigei added “We will remember him for his dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment to the betterment of our society”