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Kiprotich: A brilliant food scientist who left abruptly

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The late Samuel Kiprotich, popularly known as Kips, was brilliant in class and stubborn. Photo/Courtesy

Yo Adude, he would often call out with that KalenJin accent across Mulumba House compound at Jinja College. We were then at high school in Senior One. Samuel Kiprotich, popularly known as Kips, was brilliant in class and stubborn.

Born on June 2, 1993, the news of Kiprotich’s death in Minnesota State, USA, on January 21 surprised many of us. The budding young doctor had achieved a Doctorate in Pet Food Science and the future looked bright.

He earned his PhD at 29, according to close friends.

Its reported that he is suspected to have succumbed to cardiac arrest. Kiprotich’s body is still in the US because the post-mortem report is yet to come out. The tests are still ongoing and repatriation of the body cannot be done without the report.

While at Jinja College in his O-Level, we didn’t know that his appetite for food would culminate into his passion for food science, food safety, and microbiology, which he later pursued at Makerere University. He also pursued a Master's programme at Iowa State University and later the PhD from Kansas State University in 2023.

“He introduced the Nice type of plastic plates at school and he would fold and pocket it. His appetite for food was unmatched. There was a tree near the dining hall, we used to keep our plates up in the branches so that at lunchtime, we would move out gracefully and gently without being suspected. [In sports], he displayed [attributes of] shaky sportsmanship. He once used his stomach to save a goal while representing Blanders FC,” one of the tributes reads in a Whatsapp group of Dr Kiprotich’s old boys.

Mr Peter Esomu, who we joined Jinja College with in 2006 (Mboyo Cohort 2006-2009) remembers him as having a genuine and honest approach to life.

“He must have been in his early teens, probably 13 or so, the age of drama, as it is sometimes called. Since he came from Sebei [sub-region], a place known for producing long-distance runners, many of us assumed he would run, but that was not Kiprotich, to the best of my recollection, he never ran any long-distance race. He was an academic a giant, a top performer,” he said.

Mr Esomu added: “What he loved, however, was food. While many never liked being associated with liking food due to the youthful stereotypes, Kiprotich embraced it. He embraced it to the extent of not having issues of being nick-named ‘Mr JICO Food’. His love for food was reflected in the elective subjects at Jinja College and his career path."

We considered him smart, at the same time rebellious. At one time, he protested seating for a Senior Four Agricultural paper, citing that it was beyond comprehension and would ruin his grades. Colleagues like Francis Kawaka and David Kaera, who were seated next to him, were also willing to follow him out of the examination room. The situation was only saved by the Agriculture teacher, who convinced him to sit for the paper. Surprisingly he scored a Distinction in that subject.

Mr Thomas Ochwo Guma, who studied with Kiprotich at Kiira College Butiki (KCB) during his A-Level, describes him as one of the revolutionists who pioneered the peaceful walk to town demonstration that led to the forced transfer of the then head teacher, Mr Daudi Hasahya Mulongo.

“In another memory, the school administration one time ordered us, S6 prefects, to enforce the attendance of preps and we stepped on the toes of S4s. Fast forward, we had a reconciliatory meeting with S4s, but Kiprotich and a one Raymond Mujuni insulted the S4s and demanded a written apology from them for disturbing the peace of elders. I quote Kiprotich said ‘...your heads float’ to S4 students,’’ he said.

Later on at Makerere University, he took on the leadership mantle at Lumumba Hall, and he was instrumental during strikes.

Ms Becky Cherop, his childhood friend, remembers him as an inspiration to many relatives back home, having been able to pursue his studies to the top, even after the death of his mother while at university.

His mother, a former Immigration officer, had died of breast cancer in 2014.

“I remember when he was at campus [university] doing his bachelor's [degree] and the mother passed away, it was tough for him, but he still made it with a First Class degree. I remember after the good performance in Makerere, we met in town and he had over four scholarships in different continents. We had to choose the best but he still had to look for money to take him to the US. He ended up selling land back home,” she said.

Makerere University Associate Prof Donald Rugira Kugonza, who supervised Kiprotich during his undergraduate internship, remembers him as a straightforward and bright student.

“He came to Makerere with very great grades in chemistry, so anything which involved computation, the mathematical side of our subjects, he could accomplish very easily. I had a rare opportunity when I coordinated the two-year service learning programme, which partners Makerere University and Iowa State University. I lived with him on the same compound in Kamuli, [Kireka, Wakiso] for 10 weeks. I saw how he relates and how he contributes. In his final year, he came back as a leader, he didn’t shy away from making proposals, even if they were outrageous,” he said.

Mr Kugonza added: “He was a very good mobiliser that is why I think he also succeeded as a student leader. It is so sad that he rose fast, finished his degree, and asked me for a recommendation to travel. He kept sharing where he was, what he was doing, and how well he was doing it. So, I just got a very big shock when I got to know that he had passed on.’’

Mr Kugonza further revealed that Kiprotich becomes the third student from the service programme to have passed on after Ruth Kawadin, who died in road accident in Kapchorwa District and the late Jackson Nteeba, who succumbed to cancer in the USA, a few years ago.

Amiable character

Mr Usamah Kabuye, a PhD student at Iowa State University, remembers Kiprotich as an individual who was personable to his peers and colleagues.

“He had a good sense of humour, and he was an intelligent young man, after he completed his PhD, instead of looking for a job or pursuing a post-doctorate, Samuel joined the research and development section of General Mills Inc. in Minneapolis, unfortunately, he had his career cut short by this untimely death. I believe Samuel has left a very big void in so many lives that he has touched in various ways,” he said.

Family and friends are currently working on repatriating his body back home under the Uganda Association of Minnesota and have opened up a funds drive page under the name ‘Celebrate Samuel Kiprotich’s Life and Legacy’ where donations are being made.

May you rest in peace, Kips.

HIGHER EDUCATION
Bachelors: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science & Technology, Makerere University, graduated in 2017. Masters: Master of Science in Food Science & Technology, Lowa State University, graduated in 2019. PhD: PhD in Pet Food Science, Kansas State University, graduated in 2023.