Baringo South MP Grace Kipchoim Passes Away

Baringo South Member of Parliament Grace Kipchoim has passed away following a long battle with cancer. 

Ms Kipchoim was pronounced dead on Friday morning at a Nairobi hospital, where she had been receiving treatment.

"This is very sad . We convey our condolences to her family, "said  Baringo North MP William Cheptumo.

She was re-elected on President Kenyatta's Jubilee ticket on August 8th, 2017 while still in hospital bed. The disease left the 56-year-old bedridden for several months and was sworn into office from her hospital bed.

Kipchoim, who hails from the minority Endorois community garnered 9,299 votes against her closest rival Charles Kamuren of Kanu, who 8,905 votes. She did not campaign for her reelection due to illness, but her development track record pushed constituents to reelect her.

“My political journey has not been easy, amid illness. This is God’s making. He makes things work for our good. I am thankful to the electorate for making me proud once more,” Kipchoim told the Standard from her Nairobi Hospital bed after she was declared winner.

Her spirited fight against outdated cultural practices such as cattle rustling and female genital mutilation among pastoralist communities in the region earned her a liking by constituents.

Her body has since been moved yo the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi.