Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel Dies at Kenyatta Hospital
Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lekidime Lempurkel has died while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.
The outspoken politician had been fighting for his life after a grisly road accident six days ago. Sadly, his body gave in to the injuries, leaving his family, friends, and supporters in shock.
Last Moments After the Accident
Lempurkel sustained critical injuries in the tragic crash and had been under intensive care. Doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize him, but he succumbed on Thursday, sparking grief across the Maa community.
His death marks the end of a fiery political journey that saw him rise from philanthropy to Parliament and later to controversy.
A Controversial Past
In 2021, Lempurkel was sentenced to one year in prison over an assault case involving current Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere.
Court documents then revealed:
“Lempurkel wilfully and unlawfully assaulted Sarah Korere by slapping her on the left cheek and kicking her on the lower abdomen, thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.”
The case drew national attention, placing him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
Defender of Maa Rights
Despite the controversies, Lempurkel was a respected champion of Maa rights. He boldly defended land ownership, cultural preservation, and the protection of pastoralist livelihoods.
In 2013, he captured the Laikipia North parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket, defeating four rivals. His election was celebrated as a win for the Maasai community.
However, in November 2023, he shifted political allegiance from ODM to the ruling UDA party, a move that surprised many of his long-time supporters.
A Life of Service Beyond Politics
Before joining politics, Lempurkel touched many lives through philanthropy. He served as the Executive Director of Ndugu Zangu Christian Community Charitable Trust, a Catholic Church-based organization.
The trust sponsored hundreds of children with heart conditions, flying them to Italy and other countries for life-saving surgeries.
He also spearheaded major development projects, including piping water from the Ewaso Nyiro River to drought-hit villages in Isiolo and Laikipia.
For many residents, his biggest legacy will not be his fiery politics, but the lives he saved and the communities he empowered.
Nation Mourns
As news of his death spread, tributes began pouring in from leaders, colleagues, and ordinary Kenyans. Many described him as “a fearless leader who never abandoned his people.”
Though gone, his name will remain etched in Maa history as both a fighter and a servant.
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Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel Dies at Kenyatta Hospital
