Former EACC Vice Chairperson Sophia Lepuchirit is dead.
Lepuchirit, who deputised immediate former Chairperson Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, passed away on Friday at the Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was undergoing treatment.
In a message to Commissioners and Staff on Friday evening, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak said.
"It It is with profound sorrow that I inform you of the passing of our former Vice Chairperson, Commissioner Sophia Lepuchirit, EBS, Friday evening while undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital.”
“Let us pray for the family during this time of sorrow."
EACC CEO Twalb said Lepuchirit had a distinguished service with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for nearly four years.
She served as a commissioner and vice chairperson, a position she was appointed in January 2016.
She also served as chairperson of EACC from 2016 to 2017, during which time the commission achieved the highest number of convictions compared to all other previous years.
Before her current appointment to EACC, she held prominent administrative positions in several organizations and state organizations
At the Public Service Commission worked as assistant secretary, at the Central Bank of Kenya – (HR assistant superintendent), The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (director), and Kerio Valley Development Authority (chairperson) and she was a director at the Industrial and Commercial Development Cooperation.
She founded the Umoja Women's Group which catered for widows and orphans
Lepuchirit also served as a member of the National Anti-corruption Campaign Steering Committee.
In 2019, she was recommended for the award of the Elder Of the Order of Burning Spear (E.B.S.) because of her exemplary service.
Lepurichit is described as an anti-corruption crusader, community mobilizer, and also a promoter of affirmative action for marginalized categories and communities.
She was a member of the following organizations: Minority Rights Group International (MRG), an international non-governmental organization which has its headquarters in London; the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGUA) based in Denmark and the Kenya Pastoralist Forum.
She was the first girl from the Samburu community of northern Kenya to successfully complete advanced secondary education (a level) and also the first girl from the community to join the University of Nairobi, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in public administration and international relations.
She later obtained postgraduate qualifications through the anti-corruption and good governance program for Eastern Africa from Marquette University's Les Aspin Center for Government in Washington, DC, USA.
