The family of former Lugari Member of Parliament Dr. Enoch Kibunguchi has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his sudden death, raising concerns over what they describe as unusual medical complications.
According to the family, Dr. Kibunguchi had been in good health until about ten days before his death, when he complained of severe stomach pain and was rushed to a hospital in Eldoret, where he also operated a clinic. Medical tests later revealed food poisoning and a blood infection, after which his condition progressively deteriorated.
By last Friday, Dr. Kibunguchi had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as doctors battled to stabilise him.
Speaking to the media at the Eldoret hospital, the deceased’s uncle, Kelly Wakubengo, said the food poisoning was unusual and did not respond to treatment as expected.
“The doctors really tried, but the poisoning kept getting severe and came with other complications, including kidney failure,” he said.
Wakubengo noted that in normal circumstances, food poisoning is usually neutralised within a few days, but in this case, the effects continued to worsen. As a result, the family suspects that some substance may have been introduced into Dr. Kibunguchi’s body through food or other means.
“We have tried to trace back his footsteps and we have information that we may not provide here, but we will give it to the police for investigations,” he said.
The family has indicated it will request an extensive postmortem examination at the hospital where the body is being preserved to establish the exact cause of death.
“We will wait for the postmortem to be done, and the family will also give more details ahead of the burial,” Wakubengo added.
The family addressed the media at the Eldoret hospital mortuary, where Dr. Kibunguchi’s body is being preserved. Present were his brother Johnstone Walubengo, his widow Josephine, his children, and Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa.
Wakubengo said the former legislator had been healthy and had recently announced plans to contest the Likuyani parliamentary seat, which he previously lost to incumbent MP Innocent Mugabe. He added that Dr. Kibunguchi had also recently joined DAP-K in preparation for the next general election.
Dr. Kibunguchi’s widow, Josephine, described her husband as a loving family man and a dedicated public servant.
“I was always with him in politics, and he was a very humble man, both as a family man and as a leader,” she said.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa termed the death tragic, noting that it came at a time when the people of Lugari were still mourning former MP Cyrus Jirongo.
“The people of Lugari are still mourning Jirongo, and it is painful that we have again lost Dr. Kibunguchi,” Wamalwa said, adding that the party and other leaders would stand with the family during the difficult period.
The family said burial arrangements will be announced after the postmortem examination is conducted.
