Former and longest-serving Member of Parliament (MP) for Chepalungu, who also served as the Minister for the East African Community, Ambassador John Koech, has passed away.
His family confirmed that John Koech died after a long illness while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
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The news of his demise was first shared by Guruh Buvati on Facebook, where he posted: “Permission from the family. The longest-serving Chepalungu Member of Parliament and Former Minister for the East African Community, Hon. Ambassador John Koech EGH, has rested.”
He added, “My condolences to the family, friends, relatives, and the whole Kipsigis Community for losing such a great leader. Other communications will be made later.”
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Former Minister and MP John Koech Dies
Koech served as the Minister of East African Regional Cooperation during former President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure from 2006 to 2007.
The former lawmaker was the Chepalungu MP, Bomet County from 1979 to 1990 and then from 2003 to 2007.
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Ambassador Koech was a champion of access, equity, and excellence in education, particularly in the former Kericho and Bomet districts, where he opened doors for countless young minds.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said Koech drew strength, wisdom, and inspiration from his leadership.
“Kenya has lost a statesman whose legacy endures far beyond his years in public service. I had the honour of serving alongside Koech during the transformative era of President Mwai Kibaki’s administration. In him, I witnessed a man of rare political clarity principled, astute, and unwavering in his pursuit of national progress,” he said.
“Few will forget his towering influence in the education sector. As chair of the 1999 Commission of Inquiry into Kenya’s Education System, he steered what became the seminal ‘Koech Report’ a bold, visionary blueprint that proposed sweeping reforms, including the development of a dedicated curriculum for learners with special needs. That work remains a cornerstone of educational discourse in our country.”
Bomet Member of County Assembly (MCA) mourned the former MP as a person who dedicated his life to the Chepalungu community, started many projects, and mentored many people.
“I’m devastated by the sudden news of the passing of former Chepalungu MP, Hon. John Koech,” he said.
“We have lost a national figure, one of the greatest leaders in the Kalenjin community. He served as the Cabinet Minister for the East African Community. My sincere condolences to the family, relatives, and friends.”
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Born in 1946 in Olbutyo, Chepalungu, Koech attended Segemik Primary School and later Tenwek High School for his O’ and A’ level education.
Education and Career of Former MP
From Tenwek, he went to Makerere University in Uganda, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
From 1973 to 1975, he worked as a high school teacher and later, from 1976 to 1979, as an education officer.
Early in his budding career as an educationist, he attempted to venture into the rough and tumble of politics by vying for the Chepalungu parliamentary seat but emerged second after the incumbent, Kimunai arap Soi.
Later, in the 1979 General Election, Koech won the Chepalungu parliamentary seat, which was the first election after Moi became President following the death of Jomo Kenyatta.
In 1988, he was appointed Minister for Public Works, a position he held for only one year before being sacked in May 1989.
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The late Koech was reportedly sacked after he differed with former President DanielMoi and a few powerful people in government over the manner in which he was handling his ministry.
The relationship between Koech and President Moi became strained, though the exact reasons are unclear. Despite this, Koech was later appointed as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) from 1998 to 2000.
However, in February 2000, Moi eventually dismissed Koech and replaced him with Professor Michael Kipkorir Koech.
After his time at UNEP, Koech continued to be involved in public service, including chairing the Commission of Inquiry into Kenya’s Education System in 1999, known as the Koech Report.
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