DP William Ruto (centre) at the burial of Senator Victor Prengei, Marioshoni area, Nakuru County. August 28, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
The funeral service of the late Senator Victor Prengei is underway at Marioshoni Grounds in Molo, Nakuru County.
Senator Prengei died in a road accident at Gioto along Nakuru-Marigat Road on August 16, 2021.
Senator Victor Prengei's burial ceremony at Marioshoni, Nakuru County. August 28, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
His body was ferried to his home today, August 28, in a chopper and transported to Marioshoni Grounds at 8:15am. Senator Victor Prengei's hearse at Marioshoni, Nakuru County. August 28, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
Deputy President William Ruto is among leaders attending the burial alongside Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and a host of senators and MPs including Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira) and Millicent Omanga (nominated).
Eulogising the 37-year-old father of four who was nominated to Parliament in 2017 on a Jubilee ticket, Reverend Paul Kemoi appealed to Jubilee to nominate an Ogiek community member to succeed Prengei.
"We have lost a great leader. He was the first among the Ogiek community to join Parliament. We hope that the government will consider picking another leader," said Reverend Kemoi. Deputy President William Ruto condoles the family of Senator Victor Prengei at Marioshoni, Nakuru County. August 28, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
Reverend Kemoi went on to urge the government to consider the rights of the Ogiek as an indigenous inhabitant of the Mau and protested the move not to allow public viewing at the burial as per the community’s burial rites and traditions.
Victor Prengei's widow Catherine Chepng'etich (right) in tears during the senator's burial ceremony at Marioshoni, Nakuru County. August 28, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
"We were and still very concerned that for reasons not known to us Prengei's body was not brought here for an overnight stay and viewing as per our traditions," protested Kemoi. A section of mourners at Marioshoni, Nakuru County. August 28, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
Senator Prengei served on the Nakuru County Land Management Board as the chairperson in 2014 and later joined the Betting Control and Licensing Board as a member until his nomination to the Senate.
