Tragedy as Bride-to-Be Collapses and Dies in Kericho Church

A church youth leader in Kericho County collapsed and died during a Sunday service on 15 November, weeks before her planned wedding.

Dorcas Cherono, 20, was leading praise and worship at Kipsege Church of God when she clutched her chest and fell to the floor. Congregants attempted to assist her before she was taken to Londiani Sub-County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The sudden incident left the congregation in shock, having expected an ordinary morning service.

Her fiancé, Brian Rotich, 24, is now preparing for her funeral instead of the wedding they had scheduled for 18 December at Sayunist Church of God in Rongai. Rotich said he first heard about Cherono’s death on 16 November when church elders visited his home. Believing they had come to discuss wedding planning, he realised something was wrong from their expressions. 

He tried calling Cherono, but her phone was switched off. Messages from fellow congregants confirmed the reports, and the reality became clear when he viewed her body at the mortuary two days later.

Witnesses described Cherono as energetic on the morning of her death. She had arrived early to lead worship and encouraged other young people outside the church to remain committed to their faith. Moments later, she collapsed while singing. 

According to Rotich, she had complained of chest pain and told her mother she felt she was dying before being rushed to hospital. Her sudden death has prompted questions within the community, given her young age and apparent good health.

The couple had met during a service in Kericho the previous year and developed their relationship over the months that followed. Rotich, a casual labourer in Rongai, had saved carefully to organise their wedding. By early November, most arrangements were complete, including the venue and family meetings. 

Their final meeting on 31 October focused on their marriage certificate, and their last conversation centred on flowers, music, and other pre-wedding details. Cherono had been sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations and hoped to pursue further studies with her grandfather’s support. 

She had been active in church ministry since her teenage years and was regarded as a dedicated and prayerful leader among the youth.