Bomet County Governor Hillary Barchok has led tributes following the sudden death of Erick Chepkwony, the county’s Chief Officer for Finance, ICT, and Economic Planning.
In a heartfelt message on Thursday, Governor Barchok expressed deep sorrow and disbelief at the untimely passing of Chepkwony, describing him as a vibrant and dedicated public servant who appeared full of life just hours before the tragic news broke.
“My heart goes out to his family, the people of Bomet, and the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) as we come to terms with this devastating news,” Barchok said.
He assured the bereaved family of the county government’s full support during this difficult period and offered prayers of comfort and strength.
According to preliminary reports, Chepkwony collapsed and died on Wednesday evening in Nairobi, although the exact cause of death is yet to be established.
At the time of his passing, Chepkwony was not only a senior figure in county leadership but also a respected voice in Kenya’s tea industry. He served as the Director of Kapset Tea Factory and the National Vice Chairman of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
Chepkwony joined Bomet County’s leadership team in December 2022 when he was appointed Chief Officer for Cooperatives. He was later moved to the Department of Public Works, and in September 2023, he assumed the Finance docket, a role he held until his demise.
His death has sent shockwaves across Bomet and within the national tea industry, where he was known for his commitment to economic growth, cooperative development, and grassroots empowerment.
Condolences from county officials, tea farmers, and the public continue to pour in as the county awaits a full postmortem report and funeral arrangements.
Governor Barchok described Chepkwony’s passing as a huge loss not only to the county government but also to the entire Bomet community, where he had made a lasting impact through his leadership and service.
