Slain Baringo politicians laid to rest in emotional sendoff

Somber mood engulf the villages of Chemoril and Loyamorok where the remains of the late Engineer Simon Kitambaa Pepee and Member of County Assembly (MCA), Fredrick Kibet Cheretei, were laid to rest respectively.

The two Baringo politicians were killed in a Marigat restaurant three weeks ago under unclear circumstances raising several debates around their death.

The ceremony, held at Chemoril Primary School, almost turned chaotic as one survivor of the attack explained the ordeal on that fateful Friday night but failed to read a text message sent to him by one of the alleged masterminds of the murder.

He finally gave into the demands of the public and read the message to the public.

Politicians and professionals from Pokot community living in Baringo and West Pokot counties attended the emotional send off where they eulogized the fallen heroes as visionary leaders who were on their mission to transform the pastoral community.

Several speakers accused Tiaty Member of Parliament, Asman Kamama, of planning the killing of the politicians.

West Pokot Senator, Prof John Lonyangapuo, demanded the arrest of the MP saying the murder was politically motivated.

“I am sure these two politicians had the crowd and they were going to win the party primaries and then one politician here in Baringo said that six Tugens killed these two people and he has not been arrested over such serious sentiments. When I said this problem is escalating because of those sentiments, nobody took me serious,” said Lonyangapuo referring to the current insecurity cases in the Baringo region.

Baringo County Assembly Speaker, William Kamket, said he had to stage demonstrate as the murder was shocking to the whole Pokot community.

West Pokot Governor, Simion Kachapin, Kapenguria East MP, Samuel Moroto, PS Micah Powon were in attendance.

The bodies of Pepee Kitambaa and Fredrick Cheretei were laid to rest later in Adomeyon and Nginyang villages respectively.

Written by Erick Kombo