By Kigotho Mwangi
Police sergeant Kipyegon Kenei was a hardworking entrepreneur who was well respected in his rural home in Chemasis village, Rongai, Nakuru County.
Kenei, who was a security officer at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi where the office of Deputy President William Ruto is located, was found dead days after suspects were arrested over Sh39 billion tender arms racket.
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As investigators seek answers to uncover what or who caused his death, those who knew him said they are saddened by the depiction of Kenei as a pauper in some sections of the media.
This is after he was found dead in a small bedsitter house in Imara Daima, Nairobi where he lived as he worked in the city.
One paper based in the city went into great lengths to depict his humble abode in Nairobi as that of a pauper.
But his friends, while still looking for justice for their slain and revered village mate, found it in bad taste to demean him with such lurid details of his existence in Nairobi simply because he worked in the office of the Deputy President.
In his homestead in Chemasis, stands a three-bedroomed house constructed with his savings over a year ago, his friends said.
Also in his home, are many heads of cattle he bought while on duty.
His classmates and peers described Kenei as “disciplined, respected and a leader.”
“He was the chairman of his age group, Nyongi, and always helped them fight drug addiction,” Cosmas Kemei, his long-time friend remembers.
Kemei said his last encounter with Kenei was when he brought his wife back from the hospital.
“We had a long chat with him before he left and gave me Sh500,” said Kemei.
Residents told K24 Digital that they will remember Kenei for his sustained fight against insecurity, illicit brew and drug abuse.
"Locals called him sir because of his uniform and he used to do shopping for all of us," said a Chemasis village elder.
