A former driver to three Kenyan Presidents, Leonard Yator, passed away, on Thursday, February 7, 2019, at the age of 87.
Yator, considered as the longest serving member of the Presidential Escort Unit, served Former President Jomo Kenyatta before joining Daniel Moi's team.
He joined the police service in 1952 while aged 20 years where he was deployed as a driver after completing training.
According to family and friends, Yator succumbed to heart complications after he was admitted at a hospital in Eldoret.
Joining Jomo Kenyatta's team, he had earlier revealed that he was assigned the duty of dropping the young Uhuru Kenyatta to and from school from their Gatundu home.
Before his retirement in 2000, the revered officer rose through the police ranks to become a senior superintendent. He served under presidential commanders Elijah Sumbeiywo, Charles Kimurgor, Stanley Kiptum Manyinya and Samson Cherambos.
Cherambos described the deceased as a trusted officer who worked with dedication and aimed at delivering quality services to the country.
“He was a special civil servant who was disciplined and trusted. We have lost one of the longest serving civil servants who was also honest in his service,” stated Cherambos.
Yator had two wives, Susan and Christine, described him as a dedicated father who ensured his children got an education and also did not shy away from helping his extended family and neighbours.
He is survived by seven children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
