President William Ruto has expressed his condolences following the death of Dr J. Roy Stover, a revered American teacher, pastor, and missionary whose decades-long service left an indelible mark on Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.

“Dr. Stover will be remembered for his remarkable service as a teacher, pastor, and community leader,” Ruto wrote on Sunday, July 6, 2025. “He touched many lives through his teachings and transformative initiatives that supported the vulnerable. His legacy will live on.”

Accompanied by an image of Stover speaking at a podium, Ruto’s post captured the depth of admiration and respect the late missionary inspired across generations in the region—an area known for its Maasai heritage and layered colonial history.

Stover, who passed away on July 6, 2025, aged 93, was born in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, in 1931. He served in the Korean War before pursuing a diverse path that eventually led him to Kenya. His obituary from Redmond Funeral Home Inc. paints a picture of a life marked by resilience and compassion—from military service to decades of work among Kenya’s most vulnerable communities.

In Eldama Ravine, where he lived and served for years, Stover became a bridge between cultures. His work as an educator and spiritual leader went beyond sermons and school walls—he launched and supported community programs that transformed lives, especially among the poor and marginalised.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi also mourned him as a person who dedicated his life to the Christian mission.

“His most notable and impactful service was at A.I.C. Eldama Ravine Town Church, where he pastored with deep conviction and unwavering commitment. To the church and the surrounding community, he was more than a preacher; he was a teacher, a mentor, a father in the faith, and a true friend,” he posed.

Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma mourned Stover as a father figure to many and a visionary leader. His legacy includes the founding of the Elma Barnett Children’s Centre and Elma Kamonong’ High School—places that continue to offer hope and opportunity to the next generation.

“Rev Stover was not only a pastor but also a mentor, builder, educator, husband, father figure to many, and visionary leader. His legacy includes the founding of the Elma Barnett Children’s Centre and Elma Kamonong’ High School—places that continue to offer hope and opportunity to the next generation, he wrote.

Eldama Ravine itself carries a complex history. Once a British colonial administrative post and military transit hub, the town evolved into a modern constituency facing new social and economic challenges. Stover’s mission-based initiatives provided continuity and hope in a region negotiating its past and future.

However, public response to Ruto’s tribute was not without tension. While many echoed his condolences, others used the X thread to voice frustrations. Some commenters questioned the circumstances of Stover’s death—despite his advanced age—amid lingering distrust tied to the government’s handling of last year’s Finance Bill protests, which left 40 dead and triggered major political fallout.

Such reactions highlight the rawness of Kenya’s current political climate, where public discourse often blurs lines between private grief and national discontent.

Still, for many in Eldama Ravine and beyond, Stover’s story is one of selfless service and cross-cultural connection. As the nation reflects on his life, President Ruto’s message affirms the enduring impact of quiet heroes—those who serve not for recognition, but for love of community.