NANDI MOURNS: MZEE JACOB KIPLAGAT ARAP RUTO ‘KWOMBO PKOROS’ DIES AT REPORTED 116

Nandi County is mourning the death of Mzee Jacob Kiplagat Arap Ruto, popularly known as Kwombo Pkoros, who has died at the reported age of 116 years.

The celebrated elder from Sirwa Village in Kapchorua Ward, Nandi Hills Constituency, was regarded by his family and members of the community as one of the oldest people in Nandi County.

Mzee Pkoros was reportedly the only surviving elder of the Maina age set (Ipinda) in Nandi, a distinction that earned him immense respect as a custodian of the community’s history, traditions and cultural knowledge.

According to his family, the legendary elder celebrated his 115th birthday on December 4, 2025, surrounded by relatives and friends who gathered to honour his extraordinary journey through life.

Beyond his remarkable age, Mzee Pkoros was also remembered for his deep knowledge of Nandi traditions and his interest in politics. His family and people close to him said he had predicted President William Ruto’s victory in the 2022 General Election and had maintained that the President would secure another victory in the 2027 General Election.

His final moments have also become a poignant part of his legacy.

Before his death, Mzee Pkoros is said to have uttered two final words in Kalenjin:

“Tia Ngoo! Kawe anee.”

The words have been interpreted to mean, “No one will live forever; I am gone.”

His passing has sparked an outpouring of grief among relatives, friends and members of the wider Nandi community, with many remembering him as a living link to generations past.

His longevity enabled him to witness profound social, political and economic changes in Nandi and across Kenya, while his role as an elder placed him at the heart of the preservation and transmission of community history.

The family has announced that a fundraiser towards his send-off will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as preparations get underway for his final farewell.

Mzee Jacob Kiplagat Arap Ruto, Kwombo Pkoros, will be laid to rest on Friday, August 21, 2026.

His death marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of the Nandi community, as relatives and friends prepare to bid farewell to an elder whose life spanned more than a century and connected several generations.

May Mzee Kwombo Pkoros rest in eternal peace.