The memorial service for Ngeno Ngong Ole Kisiara happened at Kapchorwa Boma grounds. Hundreds of leaders, friends, and regular people have come together to remember a life that touched many people in Narok, West Pokot, and beyond. People are saying their last goodbyes to the man they remember for being honest and calm in community matters. The open field is full of quiet conversations and the occasional burst of song.
There are rows of plastic chairs neatly arranged around a simple stage on the grounds this morning. Families got there early, and some brought small flower wreaths that they had picked from farms nearby.
Others walked in from surrounding villages, dressed in their best clothes and carrying photos of the late hon. Many spoke softly about the times he showed up for them during tough seasons, whether it was helping settle land disputes or pushing for better roads.
One older woman from a nearby village wiped her eyes as she told how he once stopped his car on a dusty track just to listen to her concerns about water access.
Leaders from across the county filled the front rows. County officials sat shoulder to shoulder with former colleagues and local chiefs. A few national figures sent messages praising his work in bringing people together across divides.
The programme moved slowly but steadily, with speakers sharing stories that drew both laughter and tears. One close friend recalled how Ngeno Ngong Ole Kisiara never missed a chance to crack a joke, even in serious meetings, saying it helped ease tension when talks got heated. Another speaker focused on his quiet support for young people, noting how he quietly paid school fees for several kids whose families struggled.
The service carries a mix of sadness and gratitude. Mourners take turns at the microphone, each adding a piece to the picture of a man who lived simply but left a big mark. Some sing old songs from the area, their voices rising clear across the grounds.
Children sit quietly on their parents’ laps, too young to understand everything but old enough to feel the weight of the moment. A large photo of the late Hon. stands at the centre of the stage, smiling out at everyone as if still watching over the gathering.
Family members stay close together near the front. His widow and children listen carefully to every word, nodding along when speakers mention his love for home-cooked meals and long walks in the hills.
They haven’t said anything in public yet, but just being there speaks volumes. One family member said that they are overwhelmed by how many people came to the funeral, but they are thankful that so many people remember him as he was: kind, firm, and always willing to help.
The mood changes from thinking to celebrating as the morning goes on. People pass around plates of food in the traditional way, which is a small reminder of how Ngeno Ngong Ole Kisiara brought people together even when things were tough.
Young men in the crowd say they want to follow his example as a local leader, while older people nod and say the county will miss his steady voice at meetings.
The memorial comes at a time when West Pokot continues to grow and change. Roads are improving in some areas, schools are expanding, and water projects are reaching more homes. Many here believe the late hon. played a quiet but important part in that progress. His work in the background, away from big headlines, is what people keep coming back to in their stories today.
The programme still has a few speakers to go by noon. The sun is getting higher, but no one seems to be in a hurry to go. People who are grieving stay in small groups, sharing memories and promising to keep in touch. The service should last well into the afternoon, and it will end with a final prayer and the flag being lowered to half-mast.
This day is about more than just saying goodbye for everyone at Kapchorwa Boma Grounds. It’s about remembering a life lived with meaning and making sure that meaning lives on in the people he left behind. The songs, stories, and shared silence all point to one simple truth: the Hon. Ngeno Ngong Ole Kisiara may be gone, but his legacy in this part of Kenya will last for a long time.
