Alexander Muge

Alexander Kipsang Muge (1948–1990) was an Anglican bishop in Kenya: he was Bishop of Eldoret from 1983 until his death in 1990.

Muge was born in 1948 and educated at St. Philip's, Maseno. He was ordained deacon in 1975 and priest in 1976. He served at St. Stephen, Nairobi and then at All Saints' Cathedral, Nairobi.

Muge became a critic of Daniel arap Moi and advocated for civil rights in Kenya. His death in a car accident is widely regarded as suspicious.

Early life Alexander Kipsang Muge was born in March of 1948 to Anna Chepkoskei who went by the moniker “the woman of the dusty roads.” (A moniker born from her efforts of fetching firewood for her children) Born into the Kamelilo Clan, Kipsang was known to refuse the common traditions of his clan and would often abstain from ceremonies as a child, much to the astonishment of the clan elders. This refusal remains a mystery in light of his lack of Christian faith at the time.

According to his mother, Kipsang was a child who loved the solitude of the forest and possessed an ever-inquisitive spirit. His father, recognising his ability, enrolled him into the Africa Inland Church Primary School at Tangaratwet where he received exemplary marks in his fourth year common entrance examination in 1962. Later, Kipsang studied at the Anglican Mission School where he passed the Kenya Primary Education Examination.

Muge held a traditional interpretation of Scripture. On May 17, 1990, during a visit to the USA, he openly condemned homosexuality, appealing to the authority of Scripture in its classic understanding which, he said, must not be compromised. Muge was a firm anti-corruption advocate for the church calling it the nation's conscience which needs to remain clear. Maintaining moral authority was of the utmost importance. Muge preached a holistic gospel aiming to increase the community’s capacity to plan and implement development projects. Muge launched the Christian Community Services (CCS) to oversee all development activities within the diocese.

Death On August 14, 1990, at the age of 42, Muge lost his life in a collision with a truck near Kipkaren, Uasin Gishu district. He had ignored multiple warnings from Minister for Labor Mr. Habenga Okondo that he "would not leave the area" lending credibility to speculation that his collision was not really an accident, according to the Dictionary of African Christian Biography. and other sources.