President William Ruto on Friday celebrated the late Mzee Samuel Kipsoi Kipterer Ngetich.
Speaking in Kericho during the Mashujaa celebrations, Ruto said that Kipterer's story was an inspiration to many Kenyans and a true story of bottom up.
"Let me also celebrate Mzee Kipsoi, an incredible intrapreneur who exemplifies the bottom-up story, a class three dropout," Ruto said.
The President said that the entrepreneur pulled himself up through sheer determination to set up the team, group of companies whose interests span various industries and employ thousands of Kenyans before his untimely death.
Ruto also announced that the company, West Valley Sugar Company where Kiptarer worked before his death started milling operations last week.
"Fairly well Mzee Samuel Kipsoi Ngetich Chepsetyon. You are a great inspiration. To many young Kenyans and many citizens of our country it is possible to rise up from humble beginnings and make a mark in the Republic of Kenya," he said.
Born in 1949, Kipsoi was a prominent businessman, a politician and a community pillar who passed on in August 2022.
He started making money by digging pt latrines, and weeding maize and tea plantations in Kericho before he entered into the tea business which saw him build an empire.
Kipsoi later joined politics and was the former councillor and the first member of the county Assembly (MCA) for Kapkugerwet ward in Belgut, Kericho county.
He was eulogised as hardworking entrepreneur who strived to see his business empire thrive.
Kipsoi business interests such as Mbogo Valley tea factory, sangalo tea factory, Bureti tea, SABS mining, West Valley Sugar, Kipchimat enterprises, Kipchimchim wholesalers among others later grew and became huge.