By TONY MUSISI
A former Employment and Labour Relations Court judge, Charles Chemutut, has died following what is suspected to have been a heart attack.
Chemutut died at Cherangany Nursing Home Hospital in Kitale town, Trans Nzoia County, after driving himself to the facility for treatment on Wednesday afternoon.
His younger brother, Paul Chemutut, a former Elgeyo Marakwet County Secretary, confirmed the death of the retired judge.
“My brother died today in the afternoon following complications related to a heart attack. In fact, he drove himself to Cherangany Nursing Home Hospital after feeling unwell at his house, only to die while receiving treatment,” said Paul.
He said his elder brother had experienced heart-related problems intermittently since leaving the judicial service more than two decades ago.
Paul said Chemutut would be buried at his Kamendi farm, with the burial date to be announced later.
“We have embarked on preparations as a family and the local funeral committee ahead of the burial of the late judge, whose date will be announced later,” he said.
Chemutut hailed from Marakwet East Sub-County in Elgeyo Marakwet County but had settled in Kamendi, Trans Nzoia County, where he had lived for more than 30 years.
He was among the pioneer judges of the Industrial Court of Kenya, which later transitioned into the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Chemutut was appointed to the Industrial Court in 1989, where he presided over numerous landmark labour and industrial disputes before retiring from the Judiciary.
His death came hours after the death of former National Oil Corporation of Kenya managing director Joseph Kwambai at an Eldoret hospital, where he had been receiving treatment.
Kwambai, a close ally of former powerful politician Nicholas Biwott, hailed from Keiyo South but had settled in Ainabkoi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, where he had lived for more than 35 years.
