President, Deputy President pay glowing tribute to Lenayapa

 President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday paid glowing tribute to late former State House Comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa for his dedication in service to the nation. 

 In a message read by Mr Gachagua, the President described Mr Lenayapa, who also served as Ambassador to The Netherlands, as a hardworking public servant who gave all for the good of the nation. 

 The  Deputy President paid passionate tribute to Lenayapa, a close family friend of over three decades, during the funeral service at Benedictine Monastery Catholic Church in Nanyuki, Laikipia County. 

 Mr Gachagua urged Kenyans, especially the political class, to emulate Mr Lenayapa, saying he was a true servant who cared much about the welfare of his community. 

Paying tribute to the late long-serving civil servant and his close friend of over 35 years, the Deputy President asked leaders to shun pulling others down and instead support each other in every aspect of growth.

 Addressing mourners, the DP called on leaders to follow the former administrator's footsteps by striving to help improve their communities' development.

 "Lenayapa was soft-spoken but strict. He never asked anything for his own, but for his community. He cared for his community. He was a kind man. I wish and pray that we can love our people the way Lenayapa loved his people. Let us emulate him, do not bring other people down," said the Deputy President.

 He pledged to cater for the needs and education of the children that Lenayapa was supporting and complete building a church project that he had started in Loiyangalani, Marsabit County.

 "I will cater for the education of the children that Lenayapa was supporting. I will also support the Church project in his memory," he said.

 "I am here to mourn a friend, a great man, humble, generous with big heart, loved his family, community, and country. He was a genuine friend. I have a deep friendship with him. He was not interested in politics. He was helping from heart. He helped to stabilize the Presidency and kept the Presidency together as State House Comptroller," the DP told the mourners.

 Eulogising Lenayapa as a humble and astute public servant, the DP said while serving as Comptroller Lenayapa demystified State House and the Presidency by opening doors for all people and allowing them to meet retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

 Lenayapa died last week at the age of 59 years and is survived by widow Esther and daughters Joan and Paula. He was buried at his Nanyuki home on Saturday.

He served as a District Officer, District Commissioner, Principal Secretary in the Ministries of Environment & Mineral Resources and Northern Kenya & Arid Lands before he was appointed the State House Comptroller in 2013 until 2018, when he was appointed Kenya's ambassador to the Netherlands, where he successfully completed his term in 2022.

 "Lenayapa loved his community. He told me that his life started and ended with his people and that he held the public position for the community. Whatever he had he shared with them. He has been a good friend to many of us and we cherish him. He was a kind man," he said.

 He also conveyed President William Ruto's condolence message to the family and the mourners.

 Leaders present eulogised Lenayapa as a dedicated and passionate person, who contributed to the growth of his community and the community projects such as schools infrastructure and hospitals.

 In their tributes, they also described him as selfless and generous person, who contributed to the development of the church, construction of hospitals and school is, provision of school buses and water projects among others across Kenya, especially among the minority and marginalised communities. He was also a peace ambassador.

 "He led an impactful life and left an indelible ink among those he interacted with. His history on where he worked and family life signifies a man that can be trusted and leaves a lot that to be desired. He has left a memory that will never fade and love that will never die," said Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri.

 "Marsabit has lost a gallant son who represented his community highly. In all the positions he held, it reflects dedication to his country. His friendship and love for his people cuts across. His charisma will remain forever in our minds. As we mourn his demise we celebrate service he offered and love he showed to all people," said Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali.