Loroo: Life, times of Eldoret's most popular night reveller

Almost every merrymaker in Eldoret knew Lawrence Leksemoi Kemboi, a 37-year-old man who was killed on May 13. The reveller who was known in his circles as Loroo is shooting to fame posthumously.

Patrons who knew the deceased described him as a 'street smart' individual. They say he survived in Eldoret without any known job or business for two decades. A bizarrely written tell-all eulogy said to have been crafted by his close friends added to Kemboi's mysterious life.

He was stabbed to death in Pioneer Estate where he lived, after a night of partying. Police were yet to establish why he was killed, and who wanted him dead. He was a well-connected man who left his Karamwar Village as a teenager to Eldoret as a hustler.

Darling of politicians and top businessmen

Kemboi was a darling to a number of politicians and top businessmen and was known in many nightclubs in the agricultural town. Initially, he was a matatu tout before he quit and became a party man.

Revelers, mostly women partygoers, were part of a team that raised Sh1.9 million within a week for his burial which happened near Tot trading centre in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet on Saturday, May 20.

According to the eulogy, Kemboi enjoyed access to exclusive clubs in Eldoret where he reportedly got free food courtesy of high-profile and wealthy people. The eulogy became the talk of the town, with critics accusing his friends, politicians, and wealthy businessmen of not empowering the slain merrymaker while he was still alive instead of raising nearly Sh2 million for his burial.

He charmed ladies with what is described as his 'harmless' personality, his friends say. "His jovial and harmless nature earned him trust and adoration from ladies, especially in social places. In fact, many men envied him because he was attractive to many (ladies)," a section of the eulogy titled "Loroo, The Town Master" read in part.

The writers of his eulogy went ahead to say: "He would spend time in the club with friends eating meals free of charge courtesy of his friend's generosity."

Among his close friends, the eulogy reveals were MPs, CSs, and governors.

Videos and photos of the slain reveller dancing his nights away with beautiful women lit up social media hours after the news of his death. In one of the videos, women with long nails touch his sweaty face in the middle of a jig.

On the morning of the burial, a group of Eldoret revellers, comprising more women and a few men calling themselves Team Usiku (the night team) to which the late Kemboi belonged shared a video traveling to the funeral in a van.

Two days before his burial, his favourite club Tamasha staged a vigil where tens of candles were lit and merrymakers danced around them almost the entire night.

"With his unique gift and ability to interact (with people of all walks of life) regardless of status, age or gender, Loroo was able to master the art of survival in the streets of Eldoret town."