Leaders mourn first woman Kalenjin MP Mutai Chelagat

By Irine Majale

Several leaders recounted with nostalgia the contribution of former MP  Mutai Chelagat in the fight for democratic space in the Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi regimes.

Ms Chelagat passed on after long illness at Kenyatta National Hospital on Sunday. 

Among those that eulogised the fallen hero are former Prime Minister Raila Odinga,

“I join with all freedom loving Kenyans to mourn the passing of Chelagat Mutai. She was one of Kenya’s greatest heroes, and she fought fiercely for the great democratic gains we now enjoy.’’ said Raila Odinga.

The former Eldoret North MP suffered a spinal injury in a 2006 road accident and was confined to a wheel chair ever since. Lack of resources made it impossible to get quality treatment, when Hon.Raila Odinga came to her aid admitting her to the spinal injury hospital.

The former Prime Minister said, the nation should honour her in a manner befitting the immense contributions she made against huge odds to make this country a much better place.

Ms Chelagat was then the youngest MP elected for the Eldoret North Seat at only 24 in 1974,the only woman among ten rival candidates. Her criticism against the government in the past saw her jailed and shoved out of the public limelight.