On Everest, a “fearless” Kenyan climber perishes, and Sherpas are gone

Three climbers from Kenya have already lost their lives on Mount Everest this season, according to officials, who made the announcement on Thursday.

Since Wednesday morning, Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, 40, and Nawang, his 44-year-old Sherpa guide, have vanished above the Hillary Step.

According to Nepal’s Department of Tourism, Kirui’s body was found late on Wednesday by Sherpa rescuers some 19 meters (62 feet) below the 8,849-meter peak. It stated that Nawang was still absent.

According to Khim Lal Gautam, who oversees the Expedition Monitoring and Facilitation Field Office at the base camp, “it is unclear whether they went missing before reaching the peak or after climbing.” This was stated to Reuters.

Kenya’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, Korir Sing’oei, expressed his shock at his friend’s passing—a banker with the KCB Group.

“I have followed his adventures all the way to this sad conclusion. He is a bold, brave individual who embodies the unwavering determination of many Kenyans. On the social media site X, Sing’oei commented, “We will miss him.

In his last Instagram post, the climber Kirui stated that he was trying to reach the peak without more oxygen.

From Everest base camp six days ago, he wrote, “A no-oxygen attempt comes with its special preparations and risks, physically my body is ready.”
Paul Russo, CEO of KCB Group, called Kirui a “true Kenyan hero”.

Mar Kirui was a unique professional banker who, via his mountaineering endeavors, physically flew Kenya’s and Africa’s flag to unprecedented heights. He is still regarded by many as an icon and an inspiration “says he.

Last week, two climbers from Mongolia perished while descending the peak. Following a slip and fall near the South Summit on Tuesday, a British guy and a Sherpa were missing.

Since Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay of New Zealand made the first ascent of the peak in 1953, around 7,000 climbers have reached the summit, many of them multiple times, according to hiking authorities. More than 335 climbers are said to have died.

In Nepal, which is home to eight of the world’s fourteen highest peaks, mountain climbing is a major source of employment and tourism income.