Deputy Governor Dies At JKIA

Cheboi added that they could not determine the cause of death at the time.

Deputy Governor Dies At JKIA
Entrance to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. /FILE

Baringo Deputy Governor Charles Kipng'ok collapsed and died on Wednesday, September 14 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) shortly after he boarded a plane.

Baringo Governor, Benjamin Cheboi confirmed the incident and revealed that Kipng'ok was to join other leaders for the Council of Governors induction in Mombasa.

Cheboi added that they could not determine the cause of death at the time.

The late Baringo Deputy Governor, Charles Kipng'ok. /FILE

He also appreciated acting Director General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth who was also a passenger on the flight and had tried to revive the deputy governor, but his efforts bore no fruit.

“It is a loss to us. We were just preparing to start the business of building our great county of Baringo,” the governor stated. 

Kenya Airways at the same time issued a statement at the same time, confirming that a passenger had died while boarding one of its flights to Mombasa.

"Kenya Airways regrets to announce that a passenger developed breathing difficulties this evening while boarding KQ612 that was scheduled to depart for Mombasa at 1900hours.

"The passenger was pronounced dead by medical personnel at JKIA while the aircraft was still on the ground," read part of the statement. 

KQ noted that the issue was being handled by JKIA health and law enforcement officers as they probed the matter. 

“The JKIA Health and Security agencies are currently handling the issue. We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time."

President William Ruto mourned the late DG, who had an impressive career in the tea sector before he joined elective politics. He worked in the private sector as the Chief Executive of Kaisugu and Kiptagich Tea Companies and was appointed the chairman of the Kenya Tea Growers Association.

He also worked at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) as a Junior Officer and then a General Manager.

"The sudden death of my friend Charles Kipng'ok is a big blow not only to his family, friends, Government and residents of Baringo County but to the entire country, especially the tea sub-sector where he excelled for decades before recently opting for elective politics.

"It is extremely unfortunate that the unforgiving hand of death has robbed our country of Hon Kipng'ok at the start of his term as Deputy Governor, a role that would have enabled him to contribute to the transformation of Baringo County," Ruto mourned.

Kipng'ok earned a Head of State Commendation by former president, Mwai Kibaki for his efforts in the tea sector. He holds a Degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Eastern Africa.

The demise aboard the Kenya Airways flight was the third affecting the airline in the past month. Two passengers had previously passed away on the long-haul route between Nairobi and New York, USA.

A Kenya Airways plane taking off from JFK Airport in New York. /MSHALE