Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel has died a week after sustaining severe injuries in a road accident in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County. His family confirmed on Sunday that he passed away while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Nairobi hospital.
What was Lempurkel’s political journey?
Lempurkel’s political career was marked by both influence and controversy. He represented Laikipia North in the eleventh Parliament from 2013 to 2017 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). In November 2023, he shifted his allegiances from ODM to President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and later joined the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), founded by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after his impeachment in 2024.
Throughout his career, Lempurkel was a vocal advocate for the Maa community, particularly championing land rights and representation. His ability to rally support made him a significant political voice in Laikipia and beyond.
How did leaders remember him?
Among those who mourned him was Rigathi Gachagua, who described Lempurkel as a committed leader and ally. “He has departed, but his legacy will live on in our hearts,” Gachagua wrote on X, paying tribute to the late legislator’s service and dedication.
What controversies surrounded his career?
Despite his influence, Lempurkel’s career was shadowed by legal battles. In November 2021, he was sentenced to one year in prison for physically assaulting his successor, Sarah Korere, during an incident at the office of the late Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery. The following year, he faced charges for allegedly making incendiary remarks on national television. His comments, described in court as “abusive and threatening,” were said to have contributed to ethnic tensions in Laikipia.
By Lucky Anyanje
