By Prudence Minayo
Francis Ole Kaparo had the longest stint as the Speaker of the National Assembly, having served from 1993 to 2008. He was also a member of parliament for Laikipia East between 1988 to 1992. The fiery ex-speaker had stints as an assistant minister in different ministries. When it comes to the protection of wildlife, he has played his role in several conservancies. He was a board member for both Ol Pejeta and Laikipia wildlife forum and has been chairman of a number of conservancies in Kenya including:
- Lekkuruki conservancy
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
- Kijabe Conservancy
- Ilngwesi Bandas
- Northern Rangelands Trust
Age
Francis Xavier Kausai Ole Kaparo was born on September 1, 1950.
Education
The former speaker holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi and a post graduate diploma in law from Kenya School of Law.
In 1977, he was admitted to the roll of advocates as an advocate of the high court.
Wife
He is married to Mary Mpereina Kaparo although the marriage is on the verge of collapse. They have four children named Bernard, Susan, Stella and Saidima.
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Career
1888- 1992: Member of Parliament for Laikipia East Constituency.
1988- 1989: Ministry for National Guidance and Political affairs.
1989- 1990: Ministry of Supply and Marketing
1990- 1991: Ministry of Labor
1991- 1993: Minister for Industry.
1992- 1993: Nominated Member of Parliament
1993: 2008: Speaker of the National Assembly
From 1993: Chief Scout of Kenya Scouts Association.
From 2004: Chairman of Northern Rangelands Trust and the Northern Rangelands Company
2010- 2012: Chairman of National Environmental Management Agency
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On 3rd October 2021, elders from the five clans of Laikipia Maasai installed him as their spokesperson.
Hon. Kaparo was also appointed chairman of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission in Kenya and was instrumental in reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts in Kenya after the post-election violence of 2007/ 2008. He undertook several mediation and reconciliation tasks even as the president appointed him to head the Mandera- Marsabit peace process.
Marriage
Kaparo’s divorce with his wife of 40 years is now playing out in the media. Mary accused him of desertion and cohabiting with another woman at the upmarket Eden Villa Estate off Kiambu road.
She also accused him of having affairs with multiple women and claimed he questioned the paternity of some of their children.
The two had their traditional marriage in 1981 followed by a Catholic wedding later on.
In court papers filed at the Kiambu Law Court, Mary accused Kaparo of dishonesty, immorality and desertion adding that she had never given Kaparo the greenlight to remarry.
“On several occasions the respondent disappeared from the matrimonial home for a long period of time without explanation at all, and he eventually went away,” she said.
The turbulence in their relationship started in 2017 according to Mary.
“I have never consented to the respondent marrying another woman.. and would never agree to share a husband,” she stated.
On his part, the former chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission denied the allegations of cruelty, desertion and adultery and said it was the petitioner who was guilty of the three. He said at one time he was bedridden and his wife didn’t visit him even once.
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