Former Kericho governor, Paul Chepkwony, is battling a prolonged illness, with his family now appealing to the public to help raise more than Sh6 million for specialised treatment abroad.
The family confirmed that the former governor has been unwell for the past three years and has been undergoing treatment at a medical facility in Eldoret.
They said doctors have since recommended further specialised care outside the country, prompting a decision to seek financial support from leaders, friends and well-wishers.
“It is in the public domain that Prof. Chepkwony has been unwell for the past three years… we sincerely thank all those who have stood with him,” the family said in a statement on Wednesday.
To support the treatment plan, a fundraiser has been organised for May 8 at the Weston Hotel in Nairobi, where leaders and members of the public are expected to contribute toward the medical bill.
Organisers have also opened a paybill account to allow contributions from across the country.
Chepkwony, who served as Kericho’s first governor from 2013 to 2022, is a well-known figure in the Rift Valley, having led the county through its formative years under devolution.
Before joining politics, he built a career in academia as an associate professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at Moi University and is credited with several scientific innovations.
His illness and the subsequent appeal for funds have drawn attention to the growing burden of medical costs in Kenya, where even senior public figures often rely on public support to access specialised treatment abroad.
The case has once again reignited debate around the state of healthcare and access to advanced treatment locally, especially for critical and long-term conditions.
