Gichugu Returning Officer Geoffrey Gitobu Dies

An employee of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Geoffrey Gitobu has died under mysterious circumstances.

The returning officer for the Gichugu Constituency, passed away on Monday after collapsing.

According to John Tarus, the head of Laikipia East police, Gitobu’s death was reported by his brother on Monday afternoon.

“A brother of the deceased made a report at the police station on Monday afternoon. The report indicated that Mr Gitobu was driving within Nanyuki town when he felt dizzy and was rushed to a private hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” said Mr Tarus.

Read: Embakasi East Returning Officer Musyoka Killed For Refusing Bribe – Family

The police chief stated that Gitobu’s brother’s report was skimpy and left no indication as to whether or not he had any underlying medical conditions at the time of his passing.

An electoral employee in Laikipia said Gitobu did not visit the offices on Monday.

“He was driving in town when he felt unwell and sought assistance from a private clinic. Once at the clinic, an ambulance was called and he was rushed to Cottage Hospital where he died before he could be attended to,” an IEBC employee who sought anonymity said.

According to reports, Gitobu was a well-known businessman in Nanyuki town who owned a number of commercial buildings.

Read Also: Body of Missing Embakasi East Returning Officer Musyoka Found in Kajiado

His coworkers said that they were shocked to learn of Gitobu’s passing.

They stated that they are yet to recover from the shock of losing a hard-working and modest man so suddenly.

The officer’s demise was confirmed by Jane Gitonga, the elections manager for the IEBC in Kirinyaga.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the sudden demise of our dear colleague and friend, Mr Geoffrey Gitobu, senior election officer in Gichugu Constituency, who collapsed and died today (Monday) at 2pm. Post-mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death,” said Ms Gitonga.

Read Also: Missing Embakasi East Returning Officer Musyoka’s Distraught As Search Extended

“Let us pray to the almighty God to grant the family and us, the IEBC family, solace and grace during this difficult period,” Ms Gitonga added.

Gitobu’s demise comes days after the death of Embakasi East Returning Officer Daniel Musyoka.

Musyoka is suspected to have been killed and his body dumped in Oloitoktok, Kajiado County.