Former Member of Parliament and celebrated marathoner Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat has died.
The 2000 Boston Marathon winner and retired long-distance runner passed away on Tuesday at the age of 59, bringing to an end a distinguished career in athletics and public service.
His family is expected to issue an official statement on the loss.
At the time of his death, Lagat was serving as a board member of the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority (NACADA).
Following the news, tributes quickly poured in for the late former legislator.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang hailed Lagat as a humble, inclusive, and respected public servant whose legacy will endure in both politics and sport.
He added, "On behalf of the people of Nandi County, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, the people of Chesumei, and all Kenyans who mourn this great loss."
Born on June 19, 1966, Lagat rose to prominence in athletics before turning to politics.
He made global headlines in April 2000 when he won the 104th Boston Marathon, cementing his place among Kenya's long-distance running greats.
He went on to represent the country in several international competitions, showcasing Kenya's dominance in distance running.
Lagat entered politics in 2007 when he was elected MP for Emgwen Constituency on an ODM ticket. After the constituency was split, he successfully contested the newly created Chesumei seat in 2013 under the Jubilee Party.
During his time in Parliament, Lagat held key leadership positions, including vice-chair of the Labour and Social Welfare Committee, chair of the Sports Sub-committee, vice-chair of the Catering and Health Services Committee, and chair of the Health Services Sub-committee.
Before joining politics, he had served as Deputy Human Resources Manager in Nandi County for five years.
Messages of grief flooded social media, with Kenyans remembering him as both a patriot and a sporting icon. Many noted that his rare balance of excellence in athletics and dedication to public service made him a respected and beloved figure across the nation.
