Baringo Deputy Governor Charles Kipng'ok dead

Baringo Deputy Governor Charles Kipng'ok died after collapsing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while boarding a plane. [File]

Baringo Deputy Governor Charles Kipng'ok is dead.

Kipng'ok died after collapsing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while boarding a plane for Mombasa at 7 pm on Wednesday, Governor Benjamin Cheboi has confirmed.

"It is with great disbelief and profound shock that I announce the untimely demise of our beloved Deputy Governor H.E. Charles Kipng'ok, HSC on Wednesday 14th September 2022 at around 7.00 Pm at JKIA Nairobi," stated Governor Benjamin Cheboi in a statement at Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi.

His death comes three weeks after he was sworn to office on August 25th.

Cheboi said the late Kipng'ok was about to depart for Mombasa to attend the induction for newly elected Governors and Deputy Governors. He said as a County they were yet to come to terms with the loss.

"In the meantime, I take this moment, with a heavy heart, to convey my condolences to the family (wife and children), relatives, friends, and people of Baringo County and the Country. Please remember the heartbroken family in prayers. We shall be giving you details later," he added.

Kipng'ok was born in Emom, Tenges Ward in Baringo Central. He attended Emom Primary School and later joined Tenges High School for his O-levels and later Kijabe High School for his A-Levels.

Coming from a humble background and unable to raise school fees to further his studies he was employed at Emom Primary School as an untrained teacher, served as a clerk at National Cereals and Produce Board and later at Standard Chartered Bank where he worked as a teller for two years.

Kipng'ok was a holder of a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Eastern Africa (Baraton) where he graduated in 1990.

In 1991, he joined Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) as a management trainee. He rose through the ranks and within two years was promoted to the position of manager, a position he served for 6 years.

He then left the public sector and joined the private sector and joined Kiptagich and Kaisugu tea companies as factory manager. He was later promoted to the position of General Manager.

Kipng'ok, was awarded Head of State Commendation by late President Mwai Kibaki as recognition of the sustainable innovations he initiated in the tea sector.

He will be remembered for pioneering the introduction of different company products including Kaisugu Classic and Asis Premium products that were ranked among the best tea brands in Kenya.

He also served as the CEO of Kiptagich and Kaisugu tea Factories.