ODM party leader Raila Odinga has called for a fresh investigation into the traffic accident that claimed the life of former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel.
Mr Odinga said the probe would establish if there was foul play in the death of the politician, who had stood out as a defender of Maa community land rights across the country.
The former lawmaker succumbed to injuries he sustained from a hit-and-run accident on August 24 while crossing a road in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County. He had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for a week before he succumbed to the injuries. He leaves behind a widow, Judith, and four children.
Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel leaves behind a widow, Judith, and four children.
Photo credit: Pool
Speaking during the burial ceremony at Il Polei village, Laikipia County, on Friday, the ODM leader said the circumstances leading to his death must be established, describing the untimely death as a big loss to the people he fought for their wellbeing relentlessly.
“I am saddened by the death of Lempurkel, whom I considered my son. I hear he was hit by a vehicle and later died. The one who hit him has to be arrested, investigations done to establish if there was an ill motive in this accident,” he said.
Several leaders who spoke during the burial ceremony presided over by Catholic priests called for further investigation.
“We are not yet convinced that this was a normal accident and there is need to shed light on what actually transpired,” said Mukogodo East MCA Paul Leshuel.
Mr Lempurkel was the first MP of the newly created Laikipia North Constituency when he won the seat in 2013 on an ODM party ticket. He lost the seat in 2017 to current MP Sarah Korere but remained a loyal supporter of the party until recently, when he decamped to Mr Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP.
The political life of Lempurkel was characterised by controversies, and he was constantly on a collision course with the law.
In 2021, he was handed a one-year jail term after he was convicted of assaulting Ms Korere, his political rival. After serving several weeks, he was released pending an appeal he had lodged. He was also arrested on allegations of hate speech several times.
During his burial, which was attended by over a dozen elected leaders, including governors, senators and MPs from Kajiado, Samburu and Narok, the fallen politician was described as a hero who refused to be silenced as he spearheaded a fight for the rights of pastoralists.
Mr Odinga likened Mr Lempurkel to late politicians William Ole Ntimama and John Keen, who were firm in defending the land rights of their people.
“We used to have discussions with Keen and Ole Ntimama and we agreed that what they were fighting for are injustices dating back to the colonial era. I will continue supporting the community and you are aware that I helped reclaim the Mau forest when I was a Prime Minister at the risk of losing political support,” said the ODM leader.
Mr Odinga, who was accompanied by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, said that though he had joined the broad-based government led by President William Ruto, he remains a firm defender of human rights violations and upholding the Constitution.
“We must be united as one country lest we go the Somalia way. That is why I applied brakes but I have not changed my stand on fighting for the rights of the citizens. Kenya will go far if we practice politics of unity devoid of tribalism,” he told the mourners.
