Witty Chepkut left a mark with style and humor

Former Ainapkoi Mp William Chepkut holding his long-time mobile phone during an interview in Eldoret. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard] William Chepkut, the former Ainabkoi MP who died yesterday, was a larger-than-life personality. In and out of politics, Chepkut left a smile on the faces of those he interacted with. His family in Ainabkoi in Uasin Gishu and Keiyo South (Elgeyo Marakwet) was still in shock after receiving the news of his sudden death, which occurred in Nairobi. His death rekindled memories of a former MP whose life was characterised by fun, drama and mystery. From dancing in ceremonies to hilarious speeches and dressing styles, the late Chepkut was sensational. His siblings on Saturday said he had been ailing for several months. Chepkut's family and friends who gathered in Eldoret hours after his death, said they were heading to his home to join other members and political leaders. His younger brother, Enock Kosgei, said family members in Uasin Gishu and Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet were still coming to terms with Chepkut's death. Kosgei, his three other siblings - Isaac Kipruto, Daniel Kiptorich and his sister Monica Chirchir said their brother had been sick but his health had improved. "I talked with him on the phone on Saturday and he said he was planning to meet us (the family)," Kosgei said. "I was still waiting for his call to set up the meeting when I received the sad news of his death." Barnabas Kiptanui, his longtime personal assistant, said he will be missed for his selflessness. "The report that we received is that, Chepkut was in good health and even took breakfast at his home in Nairobi before suddenly falling ill. He was rushed to hospital and he passed on," Kiptanui, who had been his PA for five years, until August when he lost his parliamentary seat, said. "He had promised me that he would get a government job and he would hire me again. I am devastated." Chepkut won Ainabkoi MP seat in 2017 as an independent candidate, after beating the then lawmaker Samuel Chepkong'a, who regained the seat in the 2022 polls. Politically, he often went against the grain. For example, in 2019, he opposed calls by then Deputy President William Ruto that North Rift maize farmers to diversify into high value crops such as avocado and coffee. He also vehemently opposed a move by former Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago to move bus termini out of town, saying the decision inconvenienced travelers, and that one of the termini was near a Freemason lodge In 2018, he was tear gassed as he joined residents to protest against insecurity in his constituency. Chepkut loved three piece suits in and out of Parliament, but he tickled netizens in mid-2020 when he showed up at a wedding in a T-shirt. Just like his mentor, Nicholas Biwott, he never had a smart phone until 2020 and did not save contacts in his phone. He relied on his memory. A story is told of how in 1991, he waited for a week to meet Biwott, who later employed him. During the seven-day wait, Chepkut won the confidence of Biwott, who was known to be secretive. Chepkut said Biwott gave him an appointment that they meet at an office on Koinange Street in Nairobi. He was seeking school fees and had to wait for the then Cabinet Minister to return from London. In December 2020, Chepkut told The Sunday Standard that his loyalty to Biwott endeared him to the late President Daniel arap Moi. Before he fell sick and got hospitalised for months, he disclosed how he learnt several political lessons from the late Biwott. "Biwott was leaving for London and he told me to wait for him at an office on Koinange Street. He didn't disclose to me the day he would return because he was so secretive. I waited for him for one week," he said of the long wait that would cement his relationship with Biwott. He was then pursuing a diploma course in supplies management and could not give up. "Ezekiel Komen, who was then the Kenya Pipeline Company managing director, could show up at that office and give me some cash for lunch," he said. "I later discovered that Biwott had called him to check up on me every day until he came back." He said Biwott was testing his loyalty. "I was shocked when, after a week, he showed up. He found me sitting at the reception and solved my problem which was school fees," he said. "He told me I was a loyal young man and he started engaging me to run errands for him." In 2020, Chepkut graduated with a Master of Arts degree from Kenyatta University, and enrolled for a PhD in the same institution. Two years ago, in Eldoret, he surprised Catholics when he lined up to take holy communion. He defended the decision by saying: "I was raised in Catholic faith and doctrines and I have been attending Mass here. No one should deny me to partake in any ceremony because I am loyal to all churches in my constituency." He once said: "People don't know the real Chepkut. I am a serious and consummate politician. I don't hate anybody. My heart is as white as the snow of Russia. Who am I to resist dancing?"

Witty Chepkut left a mark with style and humor

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