National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has sent his message of condolences following the passing of former minister for the East African Community (EAC) and Chepalungu constituency’s longest-serving Member of Parliament (MP) John Koech.

Wetang’ula, in a tribute shared via his official social media accounts on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, stated that Kenya had lost a statesman whose legacy endures far beyond his years in public service.

“Word of the passing of Ambassador John Koech, former Minister for the East African Community and Chepalungu’s longest-serving Member of Parliament, has cast yet another deep shadow over the nation. My thoughts remain with his family, the people of Bomet County, and all who drew strength, wisdom, and inspiration from his leadership. Kenya has lost a statesman whose legacy endures far beyond his years in public service,” Wetang’ula‘s message reads in part.

Wetang’ula further revealed that he had served with Koech during the era of the third president Mwai Kibaki’s administration, noting that he had witnessed a man of rare political clarity, principled, astute, and unwavering in his pursuit of national progress during the said period.

Wetang’ula praises Koech

The Ford Kenya party leader has also hailed Koech for steering reforms in the education sector, including the development of a dedicated curriculum for learners with special needs, when he chaired the 1999 Commission of Inquiry into Kenya’s Education System.

“I had the honour of serving alongside Hon. Koech during the transformative era of President Mwai Kibaki’s administration. In him, I witnessed a man of rare political clarity, principled, astute, and unwavering in his pursuit of national progress. Few will forget his towering influence in the education sector,” Wetang’ula wrote on X.

“As chair of the 1999 Commission of Inquiry into Kenya’s Education System, he steered what became the seminal ‘Koech Report’, a bold, visionary blueprint that proposed sweeping reforms, including the development of a dedicated curriculum for learners with special needs. That work remains a cornerstone of educational discourse in our country.”

He also mourned him as a champion of access, equity, and excellence in education, particularly in the former Kericho and Bomet districts.

Word of the passing of Ambassador John Koech former Minister for the East African Community and Chepalungu’s longest-serving Member of Parliament has cast yet another deep shadow over the nation.

My thoughts remain with his family, the people of Bomet County, and all who drew… pic.twitter.com/6UkQrqPmcX

— Rt.Hon.Dr.Moses Wetang'ula (@HonWetangula) April 8, 2025

Koech’s death

Koech’s family on Tuesday, April 8, confirmed that he had died after a long illness while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.

“PERMISSION FROM THE FAMILY. The longest-serving Chepalungu Member of Parliament and former Minister for the East African Community, Hon. Ambassador John Koech EGH, has rested. My condolences to the family, friends, relatives and the whole Kipsigis community for losing such a great leader. Other communications will be made later. May he rest in peace,” Wilvon Kipsang Bii announced via Facebook.