Former Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Charles Chemutut Dies
He was among the pioneer judges of Kenya’s Industrial Court, which later transitioned into the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
A judge’s gavel and scales of justice symbolise the judicial legacy of the late former Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Charles Chemutut.
Former Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Charles Chemutut Dies
By James Gitaka
Former Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Charles Chemutut has died following suspected complications related to a heart attack.
Chemutut died on Wednesday afternoon at Cherangany Nursing Home Hospital in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, after driving himself to the facility for treatment when he began feeling unwell at his home.
His younger brother, Paul Chemutut, a former County Secretary for Elgeyo Marakwet County, confirmed the death of the retired judge.
“My brother died today in the afternoon following complications related to a heart attack. In fact, he drove himself to Cherangany Nursing Home Hospital after feeling unwell in his house, only to die while receiving treatment,” Paul said.
He said the former judge had experienced heart-related problems intermittently since leaving judicial service more than two decades ago.
According to Paul, Chemutut will be laid to rest at his Kamendi farm in Trans Nzoia County. The burial date will be announced later.
“We have embarked on preparations as a family and the local funeral committee ahead of the burial of the late judge, whose date will be announced later,” Paul said.
Chemutut hailed from Marakwet East Sub-County in Elgeyo Marakwet County but settled in the Kamendi area of Trans Nzoia County, where he had lived for more than 30 years.
He was among the pioneer judges of Kenya’s Industrial Court, which later transitioned into the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Chemutut was appointed to the Industrial Court in 1989, during the Moi-led Kanu administration, and presided over numerous labour and industrial disputes before his retirement from the judiciary.
His death comes hours after the death of former National Oil Corporation Managing Director Joseph Kwambai, who died at an Eldoret hospital where he had been receiving treatment.
Kwambai, a close ally of former powerful Cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott, hailed from Keiyo South but had settled in Ainabkoi Sub-County in Uasin Gishu County, where he had lived for more than 35 years.
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