From Va. to Kenya, Serving Others

Betty Brown, former head of the Langley School, was intrigued instantly when Lekuton's résumé landed on her desk in 1995. She invited him to the school and offered him a job on the spot. "The kids were crawling all over him because he was telling stories" about Africa, she said.

When Lekuton went on sabbatical a few years ago to earn a master's degree at Harvard University, many parents thought he wouldn't return. But after his university commencement, he jumped into a car and drove to the Langley School's graduation ceremonies.

Max's older brother, C.J., 16, said Lekuton was mostly serious but also had a broad smile and sense of humor. Sometimes he warned students to behave because he kept Maasai spears in the cabinet.

Once, Lekuton lectured for 90 minutes on honor and promises. "He just talked about the power and importance of your word," C.J. said. "In our country, when people think of power, they think of money."

Colleagues said Lekuton often talked about returning to Kenya to run for office. When five members of Parliament were killed in an April plane crash, he filed as a candidate for a special election. He left the school in June to campaign and was elected July 24. He pledged to focus on schools, health care and economic development.

"I learned a lot from my students, and one of the things I learned is they always wanted to be part of the solution," Lekuton said. "Even students lucky enough to be in suburban McLean can identify with students in Africa, and they wanted to help."

On Wednesday Lekuton is scheduled to make his first speech to Parliament in Nairobi. He will talk about improving education.

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.