Uasin Gishu mourns staff killed in road crash

Bomet governor Isaac Ruto

ELDORET, KENYA: For Uasin Gishu County, the superstition that tragedy comes in threes landed like a supersonic bomber. And in one strike, the Grim Reaper has taken its three dedicated staff.

Titus Bett, Gideon Chesingil and Henry Korir perished in a road accident on their way to attend the burial of Kalenjin Council of Elders chairman Joel Rugut in Burnt Forest where Deputy President William Ruto and Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago were expected.

The three county staff members were on Wednesday eulogised for their hard work by local leaders, family members, friends and relatives during a joint memorial service.

There was a sombre mood as three hearses carrying their caskets entered Eldoret Sports Club. County officials and other mourners could not hold back their tears and accept the reality that the three men were no more.

Bett, 27, had just engaged his fiancée last month and was preparing for a wedding, which was due on December 12, this year. The engagement was attended by Mr Mandago.

Bett was Mandago’s new personal assistant and had demonstrated his commitment.

Bett was up and about as he tried to ensure that everything for the governor was in order, including his speech, and after the event where Mr Ruto flagged off police cars in Uasin Gishu County, he had his eye on the next assignment – but it never was.

“While we were seated with the governor during the flagging off of new security vehicles, I was captured by the activeness of the young man because he kept coming to the podium and whispering to him. His character prompted me to ask more about him and Mandago said he was his new personal assistant,” said Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos.

On the fateful day, Patricia Tonui, the principal communication officer at the governor’s office, said she travelled to the airstrip along with Bett as they waited for Mr Ruto to land.

“We were with him at the airstrip and in fact travelled together in the same car that later was involved in the accident. He was in a jovial mood and eager to ensure that all the day’s plans were well executed,” she said.

Tonui recognised him as a hands-on person, adding that on the same day, he was involved in the planning of the DP’s breakfast held at the county offices, which also brought together the executive and MCAs.

“Our work was easy because he would update us each morning on the governor’s schedule so that we could arrange to provide coverage,” said Tonui.

Bett will be laid to rest today at his rural home in Koimugul village in Ziwa location.

“I have lost young and energetic friends who had devoted their time to take our county forward in development and work. We will support the family,” said Mandago during the memorial service.

Aaron Tanui, one of the two survivors of the accident, vividly remembered how his colleagues were jovial during the journey that later turned tragic.

He said the fateful day was full of activity. After the flagging off ceremony for police cars, they agreed together with Bett, Korir and Chesingil to travel by road to the burial ahead of the DP and governor, who were to fly to the venue.

 OFFICIAL CAR

“We were in the second car while the governor’s official car was behind us,” said Tanui.

He said throughout the journey, Bett was often on phone talking to the governor’s driver to find out where they had reached.

“We were trailing the car ahead that was carrying communication staff and in between was a canter. Before the accident, the canter changed lane to overtake and we also followed. It quickly swerved to its lane and unfortunately there was an oncoming truck. The driver attempted to swerve but the lorry was so close, leading to a head-on impact,” he said.

Tanui, who works at the county department of roads, said he survived the crash by God’s grace, but suffered arm fracture and bruises.

Henry Korir, 51, had spent hardly a month as the political adviser to the governor as per his wife’s account and was happy with his new job. Hardly did they know that his life would be cut short soon.

“On the eve of the fateful day, he told me in the evening of the flagging off ceremony, which the DP was to attend that he was so happy,” said his wife.

This is the last memory she holds as in the morning, Korir was still asleep when she left for work.

Meryline Kosgei, Korir’s younger sister, heaped praise on his brother who spent 15 years in the armed forces before retreating to private business and finally landing the new job in September this year as an adviser.

“He was the man to watch in our family and often would chair meetings and provide advice to his siblings,” said Kosgei.

Council of Governors chairperson Isaac Ruto, who was also present during the memorial service, said the three officials were instrumental in developing the county through constant advice to the governor.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter eulogised Korir, maintaining that their relations started while they were young.

“He was a brilliant man who loved what he did, we spent our childhood together in Nandi before he shifted to Uasin Gishu,” he stated.

Korir will be buried on Saturday at his rural village in Lengubei.

Gideon Chesingil, 37, who was the private secretary to the governor, was remembered as a quiet man who did his work with passion.

Uasin Gishu County Secretary Peter Lelei said Chesingil was instrumental in providing crucial information to the governor.

“He was among the few people who knew whether Mandago was happy or not, because he would hold key to every activity, including his private life diary,” he said.

Chesingil was laid to rest Thursday at his home in Kapsaos in Eldoret.