Former Likuyani MP Enock Kibunguchi dies at 72

Former Likuyani Member of Parliament and Assistant Minister Enock Kibunguchi has died.

Kibunguchi passed away on Saturday while receiving treatment at a hospital in Eldoret after a short illness. He was 72 years old.

Kibunguchi began his parliamentary career as Lugari MP after succeeding the late Cyrus Jirongo. He served as Lugari MP from 2003 to 2007 before the constituency was split to create Likuyani. He later became the Likuyani MP, serving two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2022.

Throughout his political journey, Kibunguchi worked with several political parties, including FORD-Kenya, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and, most recently, the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), which he joined earlier this year.

Apart from politics, Kibunguchi had a distinguished career in the health sector. He served as an Assistant Director of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health and held senior positions at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and Coast General Hospital.

Current Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera confirmed Kibunguchi’s death and described him as a humble leader and a mentor.

“He was not just a leader but a man of reflection and guidance. I shared many moments with him, and his wisdom shaped many of my decisions,” Nabwera said.

The legislator added that Kibunguchi was widely respected for his integrity, quiet determination and strong commitment to education.

“He believed that education was the greatest equaliser. He supported and initiated the establishment of several schools to help uplift the community,” Nabwera said.

“The larger Lugari community has lost a towering yet gentle figure. I have lost a friend whose wisdom I deeply valued.”

Kibunguchi’s death comes barely two weeks after the death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, who died in a road accident in the Karai area of Naivasha along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.

Jirongo died on December 13 at about 2am after his car collided with a 65-seater bus while he was driving to Nairobi. He served as Lugari MP between 1997 and 2002 and was Minister for Rural Development during former President Daniel Moi’s administration in 2002.