The CS said Baringo leaders could bear witness that Cheptumo would crisscross the two constituencies of the County with ease because he was accepted by the communities.
"But what's important for us who are in leadership is to copy his example, not just to say it here, but to become real, true peacemakers. I believe that the legacy has left behind the efforts he put to make sure that the peace in Kerio Valley shall be fulfilled in our time," said Kichumba.
He added: "And I believe that even as we have now, we have reduced the acts of banditry by almost 70 percent because of the work that was done in the last two years. I believe the remaining 30 percent, I will play a role with others to make sure that we get rid of this problem of banditry from our midst."
Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi said the late Cheptumo was one of the leaders who said nothing negative and his pursuit for peace was unparalleled.
"Cheptumo was indeed a paragon of humility, peacemaker in our county. He was one of the very few Senators who woule not say anything negative about the County. He would guide and counsel us on what right things to do. He was a peacemaker and would quote Mathew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Cheboi said.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot described Cheptumo as a humble man. National Assembly Minority Leader Sylvanus Osoro said Cheptumo was a great, soft-spoken person.
"He was indeed a great man, a soft spoken and firm man and I think what many might have skipped to say is that he was also very smart and neat, I don't know if he always walked with a brush in his bag because his shoes were very neat," Osoro said.
Senate Minority Leader Ledama Ole Kina (Narok) described the late senator as a gentleman and a defender of devolution and was always helping his people with school fees among other needs.
The late senator's widow Hannah Wendot Cheptumo, described her husband as a loving, supportive faithful, generous man, who carried the weight of the family struggles silently and never burdened her with worries.
"Our first real challenge came when our son Anthony, was born prematurely, requiring a month-long hospital stay," said Hannah.
She added: "Every single day, William came to the hospital, sitting by my side and encouraging me through it all. The nurses and doctors would often remark 'what a loving husband!" That was who he was, steadfast, supportive and faithful."
A lawyer by profession, just like her husband, Hannah said her husband encouraged her to pursue legal profession and paid for her university fees.
"As I worked as a cooperative officer, William encouraged me to study law," she said.
"He told me, Anne, you need to do law because I am running a business and in the event that I die, the business will not survive. I hesitated but he assured me, saying, Go for it, I will pay your fees in full. And true to his word, at the beginning of every semester, he cleared all my school fees," said Hannah.
She also said Cheptumo was a guide, cheerleader, teacher and a role model for her three children Jean Jeptoo, Andrew Rotich and Antony Kipchirchir, who are also lawyers.
"He saw them through school, shaped their careers and instilled in them the values of faith, kindness and discipline.
"He took them out for dinners and trips, made time to celebrate every birthday and in the evenings he would sing hymns with them, filling our home with love and warmth. These are the things his children will miss the most- an ever present father who led with love and faith," she said.
She said her late husband was a generous man. Cheptumo's His first born Antony Kipchirchir said despite the pain and struggles of his past life, his father never allowed bitterness to take root.
"Instead, he chose time and time again to reach for light," said Kipchirchir.
He thanked God for the time they shared as a family, for the "lessons on forgiveness and humility, guidance on respect and order and for the "countless lectures and mini -symposiums" on politics, interwoven with the complexity of human psychology."
He added: "Coming to terms with his passing will never be easy. I have lost not just a father but a friend."
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo described Senator Cheptumo, who ran Cheptumo and Company Advocates, as one who championed legislative reforms and national cohesion.
"As a legislator, he was a firm advocate for devolution and worked tirelessly to address issues affecting his constituents. His leadership was marked by wisdom, diplomacy and an innate understanding of the needs of his people," said Odhiambo in a speech read on her behalf by LSK Nairobi branch chairman Eric Kivuva.
"As LSK, we stand in solidarity with all who mourn this great loss, knowing that Sen. Cheptumo's unwavering service to the law and the nation will forever be remembered. As we reflect on his remarkable life, let us honour his memory by upholding the values he so passionately championed; justice, fairness, and service to humanity," she said.
Cheptumo died on February 16, 2025 at the age of 57. He will be buried in Bartabwa village on March 1, 2025.