Former MP Dies at Kenyatta Hospital

Former Laikipia North Member of Parliament Mathew Lempurkel Lekidime has passed away.

Lempurkel died on Sunday, August 24, at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The former MP was admitted to KNH after being involved in a road accident on Monday, August 18, at the Exciting area in Ong'ata Rongai along Magadi Road.

Lempurkel sustained head injuries in the crash and was rushed to KNH for treatment.

He served as the Laikipia North MP from 2013 to 2017 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

In November 2021, the former Laikipia North MP was sentenced to one year in prison for assaulting then-nominated MP Sarah Korere in 2016.

The court found him guilty of slapping Korere on the left cheek and kicking her in the lower abdomen during an altercation at the late Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery’s office in Harambee House.

Principal Magistrate Helen Okwani ruled that Lempurkel assaulted Korere and did not produce evidence supporting his allegations that it was he who had been assaulted.

However, Lempurkel, through his lawyer Saitabao Kanchori, moved to court challenging the ruling, stating it was a mistake.

“The trial magistrate erred in law and in fact by totally disregarding the unchallenged evidence of an eyewitness who testified under oath how Ms. Lekorere accosted and attacked Mr. Lempurkel in the presence of over 20 other persons allied to her,” Kanchori stated.

The former Laikipia North MP was then freed from custody on December 20, 2021, on a KSh100,000 cash bail.

In November 2022, Lempurkel quit the ODM Party after missing out on the list of nominees to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

A year later, in November 2023, Lempurkel joined the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

In 2025, he decamped to join former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

Gachagua has mourned the death of Lempurkel, saying his legacy will remain in the hearts of Kenyans.

The former DP also extended his condolences to the former Laikipia North MP’s family and friends.

“I have learnt of the untimely passing on of Hon. Mathew Lempurkel with a heavy heart. Hon. Lempurkel was a member of the DCP and a former Member of Parliament for Laikipia North.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may Almighty God grant strength, comfort, and fortitude to his family, loved ones, and all who cherished him during this moment of grief. My deepest sympathies to you all. Hon. Mathew Lempurkel has departed, but his legacy will live on in our hearts,” said Gachagua.