Kenyan mountaineer and banker Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui’s body will remain on the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest.
Cheruiyot Kirui died while attempting to summit Mt. Everest without oxygen. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, his family said they made the difficult decision after extensive consultations.
Cheruiyot’s family said they did not want to risk anyone’s life by attempting to retrieve his body from the crevasse he fell into.
“Cheruiyot fell into a crevasse 48 meters from the summit (8,848 meters) and retrieving his body from that high up would be risky for the rescue team, the family does not wish to endanger any life,” the media statement read.
There will be a memorial service in Nairobi and Chepterit village, this will be communicated in due course.
“Cheruiyot had a profound love for the mountains, and they loved him in return. We find solace in knowing he rests in his happy place,” the statement further read.
Cheruiyot Kirui’s Death
On May 23,2024, Kirui was confirmed dead after he had earlier been reported missing while scaling the heights of Mt. Everest which summits at 8,849 meters.
Kirui was confirmed dead on May 23, 2024, after he was earlier reported missing while scaling the heights of Mt. Everest which summits at 8,849 meters.
According to Everest Today, Kirui who was a banker working with the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) went missing with his guide Sherpa.
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“With profound sadness, we share the news of Kenyan mountaineer Cheruiyot Kirui’s passing on Mt Everest. His body was found a few meters below the summit point of Mt Everest,”
Besides from hiking Cheruiyot was a professional banker who was working for the KCB Bank as a Senior Relationship Manager Eldoret Branch.
He was also a corporate Banking Specialist at KCB Bank working full time from October 2012. Additionally, he worked as a Professional Associate Professional Risk Manager (APRM).
KCB Bank Group back in 2023 had congratulated him for scaling new heights and being the first African to summit Mt. Manaslu at an altitude of 8,163 without supplemental oxygen and with the support of his guide Sherpa, fulfilling his childhood dream of many years.
“KCB Bank is proud to be associated with you and grateful for carrying the Kenyan flag high to the international scene. We believe that this achievement will inspire other Kenyan and African mountaineers to break other records in the future,” said KCB in a statement.
Message From Former Classmate
Dr. Murwana Juma Isaa, a former classmate of Kirui spoke to The Kenya Times and confirmed that he attended school together with Kirui at Maseno University where they graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences.
He remembered him as a humble man who loved sporting events, reggae music and was always informed on current global news.
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“Kirui was a cool guy, ever smiling and a go getter who strived to achieve and apply full focus on everything that he set his eyes to. When he was focused on something he had to get it,” he said.
He also noted that the late Kirui always updated them on his achievements and Mountains that he had scaled.
“In our alumni WhatsApp group he always posted photos of him climbing different mountains such as Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro. Even before he pursued his dream of climbing Mt Everest, he had updated us about his journey,” added Dr Mukhwana.
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