Friends and teachers eulogise Kenei as a great leader

The slain Administration Police officer Arnold Kipyegon Kenei described as a “gel and magnet” that brought the people together irrespective of their ethnic or political backgrounds.

Friends who attended the officer’s burial at his father’s home in Chemasis, Nakuru County on Saturday, eulogised the man they fondly referred to as Kentos or chairman by his former schoolmates as a great leader.

Mr Sammy Muturi Njuguna said he had lost a close friend. “I first met Kenei in 2001 at Baringo High School, he was a humble and focused person. He was a go-getter who loved nyama choma (roast meat) which we shared when he visited Nakuru town,” said Mr Njuguna.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

Mr Njuguna said Mr Kenei formed a WhatsApp group for former classmates.

“He made sure all the classmates joined the group,” said Mr Njuguna. He said Mr Kenei was a mobiliser who brought his schoolmates together for a common purpose such as raising money to pay dowry for members.

“We have raised money to pay dowry for more than 10 members of our group,” said Mr Njuguna.

Before he met his death, the late Kenei mobilised his colleagues and they visited their ailing former principal at Baringo High School Michael Ndoigo. Ms Eva Kitaria described him as a friendly man.

JOVIAL

“He was a very jovial person. He loved fun and his favourite sheng word was katambe (lets go guys),” said Ms Kitaria who is the treasurer of the group.

Mr Cyprian Nyarige, said Mr Kenei was the darling of many people even after leaving school.

“The 2004 Form Four class at Baringo High School had a population of 200 students but Mr Kenei managed to get all their phone contacts and formed the WhatsApp group. As the chairman, he made sure no member of the group suffered financially. He was a great man, we shall miss him,” said Mr Nyarige.

Mr Emmanuel Kiptoo described Mr Kenei as a man who was out to ensure all his friends succeed in life. 

“He believed in unity of purpose and wanted all his friends, particularly former schoolmates, to uplift each other,” said Mr Kiptoo.

BRIGHT FUTURE

Ms Susan Nakope, Kenei's, Biology teacher, described him as a student who exhibited great leadership skills.

“We knew from beginning he had a bright future and that is why he rose through the ranks in the police service at tender age,” said Ms Nakope who is now the Mercy Njeri Secondary School deputy principal.

Mr Patrick Wanjau Kenei’s former teacher of English and Literature at Baringo High School described him as a humorous and friendly student.

“Mr Kenei had a big heart and 15 years after leaving school, he could still remember his former teachers and students by helping them in in his own small way,” said Mr Wanjau, now a teacher at JM Kariuki Secondary School in Bahati, Nakuru.