Deputy President William Ruto Speaks After Officer Attached to His Office Commits Suicide

Deputy President William Ruto has mourned the death of David Kiprotich Too, an officer who was attached to his office.

The 51-year-old is reported to have committed suicide by plunging himself into a dam at Ngeria area in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on Friday morning.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of our staff member David Kiprotich Too,” Ruto wrote on his Facebook page.

Ruto eulogized Too as an officer who was not only dependable and approachable but also took pride in his work and strived to put things right.

“We will best remember him for his humility, punctuality, and team spirit. Rest In Peace, Corporal Too,” he added.

Although the deceased did not leave behind a suicide note, his brother Aaron Sing’oei believes he drowned himself due to work-related stress.

The brother said Too was under pressure after he lost a camera belonging to the Deputy President Press Service three days ago.

The camera was stolen after unknown people broke into his house on the same day he arrived home for a family meeting.

“The deceased who has been working with Ruto’s security team came home on Tuesday because that day we had a family meeting. He had a camera which was stolen and he reported the matter to the police. It is unfortunate that he took his life," said Sing’oei.

“He called me in the morning at 8:57 am and told me that he was under pressure to explain how the camera he had in his possession got lost. He then hang up. When I called back and he did not answer. I only discovered later that he had taken his life."

His body was retrieved from the dam on Friday afternoon with police opening an investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

In September 2019, Anthony Kariuki who worked at Ruto’s office was killed in an accident on Outering Road in Nairobi. He was reportedly hit by a tour van while crossing the road on his way home from work at around 10 pm.

In February last year, a police officer attached to Ruto’s office at Harambee Annex was found murdered at his house in Imara Daima, Nairobi.

Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei was believed to have been a key witness in the Sh39 billion fake arms deal reportedly inked in Ruto’s office.

Investigators said he was drugged before he was shot through the chin, a day before he recorded a statement with the DCI on the fake tender.