The late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo. Photo/Newsflash
By Wesley Koech
As Kenya mourns the sudden death of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo on Sunday, 16 February, 2025, Newsflash delves into the profile of the deceased politician.
Cheptumo’s death was confirmed by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi. The deceased passed on at Nairobi Hospital where he was receiving treatment.
Kingi mourned Cheptumo as a great leader who was steadfast in leadership matters.
“Senator Cheptumo was a dedicated leader, who took up his legislative responsibilities with unmatched zeal and selflessly articulated the interests of the people of Baringo and Kenyans at large,” he said.
“The Senate of Kenya has lost a leader who firmly believed in Devolution and used every opportunity to advance its cause and the welfare of Kenyans.”
According to his family, Cheptumo had battled his sickness for a while and he had been in and out of hospital until he met his death.
Cheptumo, who was a first-term Senator, was born on 25 December 1967. He had Law Degree from the Universoty of Nairobi and a Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
He served in various legal roles before venturing into politics in 2008 and served as Member of Parliament for Baringo North Constituency until 2022, having served for 14 years.
In 2022, the then MP, ventured into another stage as he vied for the Senatorship on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. He beat former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
Several leaders led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, mourned the late Cheptumo as a charitable leader.
“The Honorable William Cheptumo, the distinguished Senator for Baringo County, will be remembered as a dignified leader who chose his words carefully in public and private conversations. He worked hard all the time he served as the Member of Parliament for Baringo North and later as a Senator. He gave quality representation to his constituents,” DP Kindiki wrote in his twitter account.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said Cheptumo was a distinguished leader whose contribution was immense.
“Throughout his career, he was a true representative of the people. As the Chair of Justice and Legal Affairs in Parliament at a pivotal moment in our country, he was deeply involved in legal and institutional reforms, some of which we enjoy today,” he said.
Identifying his role in fighting banditry and cattle rustling in search for peace and cohesion in Baringo, Murkomen said that the country has lost a gallant son and a determined senator.
“At a personal level, I have lost a leader, an advisor and a mentor who held my hand in politics and public service. We have lost a gallant son of our nation,” Murkomen added.
On the other hand, Gideon Moi, too mourned the departed Senator.“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Baringo Senator Hon William Cheptumo. He was an honest, dependable and affable person and leader,” Moi said.
