NAIROBI, Kenya – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has been thrown into a state of mourning following the death of former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel.
Gachagua confirmed Lempurkel’s death through his official X account (formerly Twitter) on the morning of Sunday, August 24, 2024.
“I have learnt of the untimely passing on of Hon. Mathew Lempurkel with a heavy heart. Hon. Lempurkel was a member of the @DCP_Democracy and a former Member of Parliament for Laikipia North,” Gachagua posted.
The former MP passed on weeks after being wheeled into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after he was involved in a road accident at the Exciting area in Ong’ata Rongai while heading home.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may Almighty God grant strength, comfort, and fortitude to his family, loved ones, and all who cherished him during this moment of grief. My deepest sympathies to you all,” the former deputy president wrote.
On November 5, 2021, Lempurkel was handed a one-year jail term for slapping his colleague and successor, Sarah Korere.
The court heard that at the time of the incident in 2016, Lempurkel was the sitting lawmaker while Korere was a nominated MP.
While delivering the judgment, Senior Principal Magistrate Hellen Onkwani found Lempurkel guilty of assault, causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
Why did Hellen Okwani sentence Mathew Lempurkel
Onkwani sentenced the former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker to a term with no option for a fine.
She observed an escalation of assault cases in the country and stressed that the brutality against women must be wiped out in society.
“I note from the mitigation record that the accused is a leader who needs to lead by example. So, I proceed to sentence him to serve one jail imprisonment,” Onkwai ruled.
The incident occurred at Harambee House, Nairobi, shortly after the duo met then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery (now deceased).
But in his defence before the court, Lempurkel claimed Korere’s allegations were malicious and aimed to humiliate him.
He told the court that he was, in fact, the victim of the assault and even reportedly spent a night at Karen Hospital.
Why was Mathew Lempurkel arrested by the DCI
On Wednesday, September 08, 2021, Lempurkel was arrested by the police and detained at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi.
Lempurkel was arrested at his home in Rongai, Kajiado County. His arrest came days after the National Security Advisory Council declared the volatile Laikipia Nature Conservancy and its environs a security operation zone.
Through the Interior Ministry, the government had put local leaders on the spot over alleged incitement of locals to invade farms, ranches, and wildlife conservancies to graze their livestock.
This was, however, not the first time Lempurkel was arrested in connection with tension in Laikipia. In March 2017, he was arrested and grilled over the Laikipia clashes.
“Hon. Mathew Lempurkel has departed, but his legacy will live on in our hearts,” Gachagua further posted.
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