NAIROBI, Kenya – The former Cabinet Minister and longtime Member of Parliament for Chepalungu, John Koech, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness.
The news of his death has spread across Kenya, as leaders and citizens alike remember a man whose life was defined by dedication to public service, development, and education.
Born in 1946 in Olbutyo, Bomet County, Koech’s early life was shaped by the values of hard work and community.
He began his schooling at local schools before advancing to Tenwek High School, where he completed both his “O” and “A” levels.
His academic journey continued at Makerere University in Uganda, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1972, a foundation that would serve him well throughout his political career.
Koech’s rise to prominence began in 1979, when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Chepalungu, defeating the incumbent, Kimunai Soi.
This marked the beginning of a political career that would span several decades, during which Koech would serve under two Kenyan presidents, Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
His leadership was distinguished by a commitment to education, development, and national integration—values he carried with him throughout his life.
In his tributes, President William Ruto praised Koech as a “hardworking leader” who served the people of Chepalungu with dedication.
“He was focused, progressive, and development-conscious,” Ruto said, extending his condolences to the Koech family and the people of Bomet County.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also mourned the loss, describing Koech’s death as “yet another deep shadow” over the nation.
Wetang’ula recalled serving with Koech during President Kibaki’s administration and lauded him as “a man of rare political clarity, principled, astute, and unwavering in his pursuit of national progress.”
His tribute emphasized Koech’s significant contributions to education, particularly in the former Kericho and Bomet districts, where he played a crucial role in improving access and equity in schools.
Koech’s political career included several key roles, including Minister for Roads and Public Works and Minister for East African Community under Presidents Moi and Kibaki.
He also had the rare honor of serving as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a diplomatic position that highlighted his international standing and diplomatic skills.
Despite his significant accomplishments, Koech’s career was not without its challenges.
He lost his parliamentary seat in 1997 to Isaac Rutto but made a comeback in 2002 when he was appointed Minister for East African Community.
His final attempt at public office came in 2017, when he contested unsuccessfully for the Bomet gubernatorial seat in the Jubilee Party primaries.
Notably, Koech’s post-political life was marked by a quiet departure from the public eye.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, he chose not to rebrand himself as a political pundit or public commentator, preferring instead a more private life.
His decision to remain out of the spotlight reflected his deep sense of humility and commitment to service over self-promotion.
As Kenya bids farewell to John Koech, the nation remembers a leader whose influence extended far beyond his years in public office.
His legacy lives on in the fields of education, development, and regional integration, and his contributions will continue to shape Kenya’s progress for generations to come.
