News
SAD! Famous Senator is d3ad!
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Baringo County is in sad mood after the sudden demise of Senator William Cheptumo.
The news was made public on Sunday, February 16, with tributes pouring in from across the country. Leaders have acknowledged his contribution to both Baringo and the nation at large.
However, it is not clear what claimed the life of the Senator.
His last post on social media was shared on Saturday, February 15. In the post, he wished Azimio leader Raila Odinga the best in the African Union Commission chairmanship race.
“Wishing you the very best Baba. Let’s win together. Let’s bring it home together,” he stated in the post.
On February 9, politicians allied with the Senator shared that he had been released from the hospital after being admitted for several days because of an undisclosed ailment.
Speaking to the press at the time, the leaders described him as a great leader and mentor, asking others to join them in praying with Cheptumo’s family.
He was long-serving for Baringo North constituency for 15 years before being elected as Baringo Senator in 2022.
Baringo Senator Cheptumo’s Education
The late Senator spent his early years at Maregut Primary School, where he studied from 1975 to 1981, earning his Certificate of Primary Education (CPE).
He went to Bartolimo Secondary School for his high school education between 1982 and 1985. It was there that he earned his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
In 1986, he joined the prestigious Kabarnet High School for his Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE), a level that prepared him for university education.
Later, he secured a place at the University of Nairobi in 1988, where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree.
In 1992, he enrolled at the Kenya School of Law, where he earned his Diploma in Law, officially qualifying to practice as a lawyer.
His Political Career
From the legal field to the corridors of Parliament, Senator Cheptumo had a career that spanned over three decades.
He began his professional career as a legal officer at the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) in 1993. In 1995, he transitioned to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), where he served as a s legal officer.
Further, in 1998, the senator established Cheptumo and Company Advocates, where he served as the proprietor for nearly a decade.
In 2008, he was appointed Executive at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, where he played a key role in shaping Kenya’s legal and constitutional framework.
However, he transitioned into politics in 2008 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Baringo North Constituency, a position he held for 14 years until 2022.
In August 2022 under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, he won the senatorial race in Baringo, defeating the previous Senator Gideon Moi.
Also, he was an influential figure in national politics, contributing to key legislative debates that shaped Kenya’s governance.
Members of the Committee include:
1. Rt. Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere – Chairman
2. Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C. – Deputy Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim – Member
4. Rt. Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase – Member
5. Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betera – Member
6. Rep. Sada Soli – Member
7. Rep. James Abiodun Faleke – Member
8. Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo – Member
9. Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau – Member
10. Rep. Wole Oke – Member
11. Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi – Member
12. Rep. Patrick Umoh – Member
13. Rep. James Barka – Member
14. Rep. Alex Egbona – Member
15. Rep. Isa Anka – Member
16. Rep. Amos Daniel – Member
17. Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu – Member
18. Rep. Onuh Onyeche Blessing – Member
19. Rep. Fatima Talba – Member
While the Head of Secretariat is Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi.
This development underscores the resolve of the House of Representatives to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and ensure that the extraordinary measures undertaken during the emergency period remain subject to legislative oversight, guided by transparency, accountability, and the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar opposition is a mission to nowhere.
Wike made this declaration on Sunday, asserting that any opposition fronted by him is destined for massive failure.
Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, issued a press statement in response to Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna on Sunday.
Atiku, accompanied by political allies such as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, paid Sallah homage to Buhari.
Olayinka via his official Facebook page derided Atiku’s explanation for the visit, labeling it as mere political posturing.
“Those of us who have sense know that any opposition being led by Atiku is a failure from the beginning,” Olayinka wrote.
According to him, Atiku’s commitment to the opposition remains questionable, claiming the former PDP flagbearer would not hesitate to switch sides if offered a political deal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The reason is, if tomorrow President Tinubu calls Atiku and tells him, ‘Don’t worry, I will hand over to you in 2027, just join APC,’ he (Atiku) will be in the APC immediately,” Olayinka added.
The FCT Minister’s spokesman further ridiculed the former Vice President’s visit to Buhari, suggesting that Atiku should have extended the same courtesy to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta for Lisabi Day.
“I am still waiting for Atiku to carry body and go to Abeokuta to pay Lisabi Day homage to OBJ sha. Also, we are doing the Egungun Festival in my hometown next month. Let him not forget to pay Egungun Festival homage to us in Okemesi Ekiti,” Olayinka wrote.
The member representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, has described the death of former Nigerian national team captain, Christian Chukwu at 74 as a monumental tragedy for football enthusiasts and the nation.
Hon. Nnaji in a statement in Abuja stressed that he received the news of the death of the football idol with profound grief and sadness adding that his passing has left a huge gap in Nigerian and African football.
The lawmaker noted that Late Chukwu exhibited an exceptional talent in his playing days both in Rangers International club of Enugu and in Super Eagle such that he was nicknamed Chairman because of his special ability in warding off attackers in defence.
He praised Chukwu’s contributions to Nigerian and African football describing him further as a colossus whose impacts both as a player and a coach would not be forgotten in a hurry..
“His achievements as a footballer from Nkanu West Local Government, brought glory, honour and recognition to my constituency, Enugu State, the country and African Continent at large.
“In bidding him farewell, let us remember Christian Chukwu as the captained of the Super Eagles’ squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations and a bronze medal as a coach of the Super Eagles in 2004 African Cup of Nations, (AFCON)
Christian Chukwu coached the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team as the head coach from 2002 to 2005 and led the team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Late Chukwu was also Assistant Coach to Golden Eaglets’ team that won the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985 and was also part of the technical crew that contributed to the Super Eagles’ qualification for their first FIFA World Cup finals in 1994 and he coached the Rangers International of Enugu and the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team.
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