Former Kilgoris Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister Gideon Sitelu Konchellah passed away in the early hours of Saturday, June 13, 2026, after suffering a cardiac arrest, sending shockwaves through Narok County and across the country.
The family confirmed that Konchellah died at 4:00 am at the Nairobi Hospital, where he had been admitted on May 30 following an infection. He had been unwell since November 2025.
“This morning, we are very sad to announce the passing on of Honourable Gideon Konchella,” the family said in a statement. “Honourable Konchella has been unwell since November 2025 and has been undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital. On May 30, 2026, he was admitted after getting an infection. On June 12, 2026, he suffered cardiac arrest and passed away at 4 am.”
Konchellah served as Kilgoris MP for two decades between 2003 and 2022, representing the constituency under various parties including the Party of National Unity, the United Republican Party, and the Jubilee Party. He also served as Cabinet Minister for Immigration and Registration of Persons in the late President Mwai Kibaki’s government between 2006 and 2007, during which he oversaw the enactment of the landmark Refugee Act of 2006 — legislation that replaced the colonial-era Control of Aliens Act and established a humane legal framework for registering and protecting refugees in Kenya.
Before entering politics, Konchellah had a distinguished military career spanning more than 30 years, during which he served as a commander and logistics officer in the Department of Defence.
Current Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli was among the first leaders to publicly mourn his passing. “I have sadly learnt of the death of Honourable Gideon Konchellah, former MP for Kilgoris Constituency. The late Konchellah was both my predecessor and successor,” Sunkuli said. “He served Kilgoris for 20 years, but the cruel hand of death has taken his life. May God rest him in eternal peace.”
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, who defeated Konchellah in the 2022 senatorial race, also paid tribute. “The steady stream of sad news is devastating and speaks to our times. We are all living on borrowed time. Rest well, leader. You served the community well,” Olekina said.
Citizen TV journalist Stephen Letoo, who broke the news, described Konchellah as a towering voice for the Maasai community. “He was a leader, a father, and a voice for his people. May God comfort the family and Kilgoris at large during this painful time,” Letoo wrote.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
