In summary;
- How Nephew saved his Life severally
- Politics, Clash with Ruto
- SDLF / Serut Face-Off
- Notable Achievements
- Assorted condolence messages
Former Mt. Elgon MP Hon. John Serut died @3am at a Nairobi hospital in the morning of Wednesday 16 Feb 2022 following a long battle with blood Cancer. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 2020 a condition that kept him in and out of hospital till his death.
How Nephew saved his Life severally
Sometime in the late 2020 Hon. Serut got ill and was rushed to MedHeal Hospital – Eldoret for treatment where he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He was in dire need of blood that wasn’t available anywhere in the entire Eldoret, Bungoma hospitals. As rumors started flying around that he had passed on it was later discovered that his sister’s son shared his blood group, a discovery that led to the gentleman being picked from Kibuk village and quickly rushed to Eldoret to save a life. The nephew has since been on standby whenever he is needed to donate more blood.
Rest in peace to the love of my life. I hate that you won't see my children. I hate that you won't get to see the woman I become but I'll make you proud. I love you dad ❤️
— Chemoss (@MishSerut) February 16, 2022
Politics;
Serut quit his job to join 2002 politics
He was elected Mt. Elgon MP for two terms;
- 2002 to 2007
- 2013 (Independent)
Until recently he was no friend to DP Ruto… Sometimes back the two leaders clashed at a funeral in Mt. Elgon that turned nasty. It’s at this point that Ruto’s team is said to have decided to sponsor Harry Kimtai (now PS) from Kaptama to run against Serut and Kapondi in 2017. The idea was not necessary to win but to spoil for Serut in favor of Kapondi.
At the ballot the three candidates garnered (IEBC records);
- Kapondi – 24,859
- Serut – 13,437
- Harry Kimtai– 9,617 (was appointed the Principal Secretary State Department for Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation in Kenya)
Ruto and Serut had ever since closed ranks and nurtured a better relationship.
SDLF / Serut Face-Off:
The Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) was a guerrilla militia operating in the then Mount Elgon District of Kenya since 2005. It was accused of killing more than 600 people, and of committing a variety of atrocities including murder, torture, rape, and the theft and destruction of property. More than 66,000 people had been displaced in an 18-month period. They were allegedly led by a former bodyguard to the President, who was killed by security forces. Wycliffe Matakwei Kirui Komon was the deputy commander and assumed leadership of the militia at its peak
~ Wikipedia ~
in 2007 just before election Sabaot Land Defense Force (SLDF) which was unhappy with Serut’s stand on Chepkurkur land made an attempt to end his life at Kibuk area but they instead killed his blood brother after missing him. More of his close relatives and neighbors were killed by the outlawed militia at Kibuk, Terem and Masek areas. The militia believed that Serut was also behind the govt. crackdown on them since he never supported SDLF agenda.
On 4 Aug 2007 the then Planning and National Development Assistant Minister escaped death narrowly in Mt Elgon after armed gangsters attacked him. The MP sustained a slight head injury after he was attacked in Kamneru after thugs emerged from a maize plantation and sprayed his car with bullets.
On 3 July 2020 Former Mt Elgon MP John Serut shed tears as he narrated to THE TRUTH, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION OF KENYA (TJRC) team how he was almost killed by SDLF. He said he was shot at at close range but the bullet missed him narrowly adding that he knew his assailants, but nothing had been done to them although he had reported the incident.
He distanced himself from groups like Moorland, Janjawit and the SLDF saying many people who gave information to the police were killed after the officers disclosed their identities to the militia.
“The information people gave to the police ended up in the wrong hands and that’s why many people were killed… I was shocked when the government I was serving started investigating me.,, I was barred from attending meetings interior minister John Michuki held while he toured the area despite my being in government… I had to choose between resigning and putting my life and that of my family at risk. I chose to stay in government,” Serut said.
The commissioners nevertheless restraned him from mentioning names when he accused current MP, Mr Fred Kapondi, of having a hand in the attacks on civilians
Notable Achievements;
Apart from his parental and Constituency roles, Serut achieved quite a lot including;
- He nurtured Personal touch with his constituents, one that is appreciated by locals to date.
- Despite losing relatives via SDLF killings and risk of losing majority Sabaot votes, Serut stood firm to defend the rights of minority on Chepkurkur land (part of Chepyuk settlement scheme). The scheme was initially govt land that was later given to the public because of public demand but Sabaots invaded the land after utilizing what they had separately been allocated demanding a share of what Ndorobos had been allocated with some Sabaots opting to buy from Ndorobos. After push and pull Sabaot Land Defense Force (SLDF) became a household name. It demanded that the land allocated to Ndorobos be subdivided so that each person (sabaots included) gets 5acres each. It’s at this point that the then Planning and National Development Assistant Minister John Serut stamped something that troubled his boss John Michuki.
- During Kibaki’s era; He in partnership with Hon. Kombo lobbied for Kamukuywa-Kaptama-Kasokwony-Kopsiro-Namwela road tarmacking…
- He was also appointed the Planning and National Development Assistant. Minister (after referendum)
His daughter Michelle Serut announced his death on Social Media prompting varying comments from the social media users
Serut leaves behind his wife Pamela Serut who works with Bungoma County govt and is an adviser in matters Service delivery and several children
Assorted condolence messages;
Today marks one of the darkest moments not just to the people of Mt. Elgon Constituency but to our dear country Kenya following the demise of Former MP John Bomet Serut.
Serut was a Team player who cherished everyone’s contribution in making Mt. Elgon a better place.
My thoughts and prayers goes to the family, constituents and Bungoma County for the great loss.
Death has reaped a good soul from us. Go well Mheshimiwa Serut.
~ Zachariah Baraza – Bungoma County UDA Gubernatorial Aspirant ~
Mheshimiwa John Serut was a firm, bold and vocal politician who served the people of Mt Elgon with distinction. He was a gifted debater, persistent and a fighter for equal justice. We honour the rich legacy that he leaves behind.
Our love to the family and the people of Mt Elgon during this painful time. Rest In Peace, Mheshimiwa Serut.
~ William Samoei Ruto ~
I have learnt with great disbelief and sorrow of the passing on of Hon John Serut, former Ass. Minister & MP Mt. Elgon.I pray for Mama Pamela and family. He was a hardworking and dependable leader who bolstered the unity & development of Bungoma. RIP brother.
~ Sen. Moses Wetangula ~
‘Former Mt Elgon MP John Serut was a brave, committed and fiercely independent leader who served his constituents with unmatched dedication and zeal.
A charismatic and development conscious leader, he distinguished himself as a tireless champion of the rights of his marginalized Sabaot community.
As Bungoma County’s First Governor, I worked closely with Mr Serut and we remained friends to date.
My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the people of Mt Elgon and the entire Bikaapkoret Nation during this difficult time.
Rest in Peace Mheshimiwa’
~ Senate Speaker, Ken Lusaka ~
Pole sana Dada.. Be comforted in the Lord and receive eternal reward for the great love, concern and care that you showed your dad despite the negativity spewed here! You're a Brilliant daughter to a Father.
— Mtetezi™©2022 (@PatrickMuteti) February 16, 2022
Several leaders too shared their condolences;
