Former Chesumei Member of Parliament (MP) Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat has passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Eldoret.
The 2000 Boston Marathon winner and retired long-distance runner passed away on Tuesday, September 30
Until his death, Lagat was serving as a board member of the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority (NACADA).
Former Chesumei MP and Marathon Winner Elijah Lagat is Dead
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang confirmed Lagat’s death, mourning the former MP as a distinguished leader who served with humility.
“It is with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss that we have learned of the passing of Elijah Lagat, former Member of Parliament for Chesumei Constituency and a celebrated national hero,” a statement from Sang read.
“As a legislator, he was deeply committed to dialogue and inclusivity. He led with wisdom, always engaging in wide consultation to ensure that the voices of his constituents were heard, respected, and represented.”
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Governor Sang hailed Lagat not only as a political leader but also as a sporting legend who brought honour to the country.
“Beyond politics, Hon. Lagat made Kenya proud on the international stage. His remarkable victory at the 2000 Boston Marathon remains etched in the history books. His achievements as an athlete elevated Kenya’s name globally, inspiring a generation of sportsmen and women across the country,” Governor Sang said.
Professional and Political Career
The former legislator first tried his luck in politics during the 2002 General Election, but lost the Emgwen parliamentary race to the then-MP Stephen K. Tarus.
In 2007, Lagat made a comeback and clinched the Emgwen seat on an ODM ticket, marking the beginning of his journey in the National Assembly.
Following the split of Emgwen Constituency, Chesumei was created, and in 2013 Lagat successfully vied for the new seat, becoming its first elected Member of Parliament.
Lagat first rose to global prominence after his stunning victory at the Boston Marathon and went on to become one of Kenya’s most decorated marathoners in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
He represented the country in numerous international competitions, helping cement Kenya’s reputation as a global powerhouse in distance running.
Lagat was also victorious in the 27th edition of the Berlin Marathon, where he beat fellow Kenyans Erick Kimaiyo, Sammy Lelei, and Jackson Kipngok.
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After retiring from athletics, Lagat transitioned into politics and was twice elected as the Member of Parliament for Chesumei Constituency.
Lagat began running primarily to lose weight, rather than to compete at the highest level of the sport. As a young man, a physician told him that he “had a lot of fat around his heart” and needed to lose weight.
He obliged, reducing his weight from 158 pounds in 1992 to 125 pounds by the time he won the Boston Marathon. He started jogging in 1993 and began competing in 1994.
Remarkably, he was already 27 when he first took part in competitive running—an unusually late start that highlighted his innate talent.
Before becoming an athlete, Lagat worked as an educational administrator, then transitioned to a full-time career in athletics.
He holds a degree in History from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, and an MBA in Strategic Management from Africa Nazarene University.
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