Mountaineer Cheruiyot Kirui’s Body To Remain In Mt Everest Following Family’s Decision

The body of Kenyan mountaineer Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui will remain on Mount Everest following the family’s decision not to go through the painful and expensive process of retrieving the body from the apex of the mountain.

“This decision was made after extensive consultations and careful consideration of all circumstances.” The family said this in a statement.

Adding that they find solace that Kirui will be resting on the mountain that he had much love for, the family says they considered all the safety measures and the dangers of retrieving bodies from the world’s tallest mountain and considered it best to let them rest there.

“Cheruiyot fell into a crevasse 48 metres from the summit (8,848 meters), and retrieving his body from that high up would be risky for the rescue team; the family does not wish to endanger any life. Cheruiyot had a profound love for the mountains, and they loved him in return. We find solace in knowing he rests in his happy place,” the statement said.

They are planning a memorial service in Nairobi as well as in his Chepterit village, with more details to come soon.

Kirui, one of Kenya’s longstanding recreational mountaineers and co-founders of ultrarunning in the country, passed away on Thursday while attempting to climb the world’s highest mountain without supplemental oxygen.

He had previously been reported missing alongside his guide (sherpa), who is yet to be found.

Kirui’s family expressed their empathy for the guide and prayed for God’s strength for his family during the trying period.

“We also pray for the family of Nawang Sherpa, Cheruiyot’s sherpa during the expedition, who is yet to be found. May they find peace,” the family said.

Until his demise, Kirui was an employee of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).