Former Emgwen and Chesumei Member of Parliament, and celebrated marathon champion, Elijah Lagat has died.
According to reports, Lagat passed away on the morning of Tuesday, September 30, while receiving treatment at a hospital in Eldoret.
His death has drawn tributes from leaders across the country, many of whom praised him as a man of humility, dedication, and service both on the athletics track and in public office.
Elijah Lagat, former MP and champion marathon runner dies. Photo: Courtesy.
Elijah Lagat began his athletics career in 1993 after taking up running for health reasons, quickly rising to global prominence.
In 1997, he won the Berlin Marathon in 2:07:41, his personal best, and followed it with victory in the Prague Marathon the next year.
His greatest achievement came in 2000 when he won the Boston Marathon in a dramatic photo finish, before representing Kenya at the Sydney Olympics later that year.
After retiring from athletics, Lagat ventured into politics, winning the Emgwen parliamentary seat in 2007 on an ODM ticket and later serving as the first MP for Chesumei Constituency in 2013.
During his tenure, he held leadership roles in various parliamentary committees.
In 2023, he was appointed to the board of NACADA, extending his service to the nation beyond politics.
