Kenya has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel, who tragically passed away at Kenyatta National Hospital after a road accident in Rongai, Kajiado County. The 2013–2017 legislator, known for his strong defense of pastoralist rights, had been admitted to the ICU but succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning.
Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua led national tributes, describing Lempurkel as a man of courage whose voice will echo in the history of the Maa community. “Lempurkel may be gone, but his service to Kenya will live on forever,” Gachagua noted in his condolence message.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), under which Lempurkel rose to Parliament in 2013, also mourned him, praising his commitment to justice and his constituents.
However, Lempurkel’s political journey was marked by both triumph and turbulence. In 2017, he lost his seat to Sarah Korere, and in 2021, he made headlines when a Nairobi court handed him a 12-month jail sentence for assaulting her in 2016 at Harambee House. He served 45 days before securing bail.
Despite controversies, he remained active in politics until his last breath, having defected from UDA to the newly formed DCP in a move that reshaped his political alliances.
Lempurkel’s death closes the chapter on a complex but impactful career, leaving behind a legacy that has sparked both admiration and debate. His supporters remember him as a fearless fighter, while his critics recall his combative side. What is undeniable, however, is that Mathew Lempurkel’s name will not be easily forgotten in Kenyan politics.
