KAJIADO, Kenya – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has directed Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to employ the widow of the late Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel.
Raila was among the mourners who thronged Lempurkel’s Ilpolei farm in Kajiado County on Friday, September 5, 2025, to pay their last respects to the departed politician.
“Order. To the Kajiado governor, Lenku, the widow of Lempurkel should report to work tomorrow,” Raila said amid cheers from the crowd.
The veteran politician also promised to adopt some of Lempurkel’s sons.
“I will take them in and see what I can do for them. Is that okay? May my son rest in peace,” said Raila before taking his seat.
As earlier reported by News Nine, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua was thrown into a state of mourning following the death of 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.
What happened to Mathew Lempurkel before his death
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.
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.
What did Mathew Lempurkel tell the court in his defence
Onkwani sentenced the former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker to no option of a fine.
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.
“Hon. Mathew Lempurkel has departed, but his legacy will live on in our hearts,” Gachagua further posted.
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