Mzee Jackson Kibor to Mwai Kibaki: Deaths of Prominent Personalities That Saddened Kenyans in 2022

2022 has been quite an eventful year, and unique to Kenyans owing to the various happenings encountered all the while.

It has been a mixture of losses and wins, hits and misses, not forgetting the moments of sorrow and merry encountered in their respective timelines. 

As it were, the year would not end without the deaths of eminent Kenyans in various fields being reported.

Nairobi Leo highlights some of the newsmaker's deaths about which Kenyans were gutted.

1. Charles Njonjo

The first Attorney General of independent Kenya breathed his last on Sunday, January 2.

His death was announced on Sunday by then president Uhuru Kenyatta who hailed the deceased's contribution to bolstering the rule of law post-independence.

Njonjo who also served as a Cabinet Minister of Constitutional Affairs was the only surviving member of the independence cabinet.

He served in the AG's post for 17 years between 1963 and 1980 when he retired aged 60 years; he thereafter ventured into elective politics.

Njonjo served as Kikuyu MP for three years between 1980 and 1983.

He died aged 101 years.

2. John Serut

The goner had in his lifetime represented Mt Elgon in the 11th parliament between 2013 and 2017.

Serut died on February 15 after succumbing to cancer-related complications.

The politician's daughter Michelle Serut said that his father had been battling cancer for years.

Late last year, the family appealed for help to offset the father's hospital bill that had accumulated to over Ksh20 million.

Serut, prior to his death, had courted controversy over his alleged involvement in land clashes that led to a handful of fatalities in the constituency.

3. Mzee Jackson Kibor

The mythical 'Men's Conference' patron and tycoon died on March 17 aged 88 years.

As confirmed by his family, the prolific farmer and businessman succumbed to a long bout of an undisclosed illness at St. Lukes's Hospital in Eldoret, where he had been admitted for a time.

Kibor's family disclosed that their patriarch had been using medical oxygen from the time he contracted Covid-19 in October 2020.

The doctor who had been attending to him established his kidneys failed.

Upon his death, the polygamous octogenarian would leave behind a vast estate that would be the center of disputes in his extensive family.

His youngest wife Eunita Kibor had complained about her elderly counterparts sidelining her in the inheritance.

The matter would later be resolved in the corridors of justice.

4. Mwai Kibaki

Kenya's third president died on April 22 aged 90 years.

His death was announced to the nation by his successor Uhuru Kenyatta.

Prior to his death, Kibaki had maintained a low-key profile, especially after his retirement in 2013.

The former president's tenure ran between 2002 and 2013.

His reign was dented by the 2007 post-election violence which left thousands of compatriots dead and displaced.

In early 2008, Kibaki realized a ceasefire with Raila Odinga against whom he vied for the presidency; Raila would later serve as the prime minister in Kibaki's administration.

Kibaki's presidential tenure is hailed for Kenya's economic and infrastructural property, with the futuristic Thika Super Highway being his august legacy.

His wife Mama Lucy Kibaki died in 2016.

The deceased couple is survived by their five children namely Jimy Kibaki, Tony Kibaki, David Kagi Kibaki, Wangui Mwai, and David Kibaki.

5. Paul Gicheru

The lawyer and International Criminal Court (ICC) suspect died on September 26.

His lifeless body was discovered dead at his Karen Home.

"He had late lunch and felt unwell and went to bed but he did not wake up," police aware of the incident said.

Gicheru was said to have eaten a meal and proceeded to sleep only to never wake up again.

His son was also said to have developed complications and was rushed to hospital.

Gicheru came to the limelight in 2020 when was implicated in the tampering of the witnesses in crime against humanity cases faced by seven Kenyans among them President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.

He was accused of playing a role in tampering with witnesses in a case involving the president and radio presenter Joshua Arap Sang.

Cases against the two were officially terminated in April 2016 after they were found to have no case to answer.

6. William Chepkut

The former Ainabkoi MP died on October 8.

Chepkut had been undergoing treatment at a MediHeal Hospital in Nairobi where he lost the battle.

He was first confined to hospital in September 2021 after falling off a staircase in a Nairobi joint.

"In July, I missed a step at the hotel and rolled down several metres to the ground; I fainted and was rushed to Nairobi Hospital where I received treatment was discharged," he once.

He would fly to Dubai for further examination, after which the medics recommended surgery to treat his knee.

In his lifetime, Chepkut was famed for his outgoing character, often cracking his audiences with lively speeches and dance moves.

He had had a history with fallen prominent and billionaire Nicholas Biwott to whom he served as a personal assistant.

Chepkut represented his native constituency in the 12th parliament between 2017 and 2022.