Fare Thee Well ‘Total Man’: Biwott laid to rest

The late powerful Cabinet Minister, Nicholas Biwott, was laid to rest Thursday, July 20 at his Kaptarakwa home in Elgeyo Marakwet.

The residents of Elegeyo Market County said they have lost a father figure and that it will be difficult to replace him.

“Biwott fought for the girl child education in Keiyo District. He advocated for the building of girl schools to empower the girl child. An example of such school is the Maria Soti Girls School. There were no schools in Elgeyo Marakwet but because of Biwott, schools have been built now,” recounts one resident.

One of the locals leaders remembers the great political loyalty the late Biwott used to observe, insisting that the virtue could also be reflected in his normal life as a person.

“Biwott was very loyal. I even remember in 2002 when he urged the community to vote for KANU presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta. People started telling him instead to vie for presidency, he told us that President Moi has said that we should vote for Uhuru,” said the widow to the former Eldoret West MP Reuben Chesire.

Ex-Minister Henry Kosgey explained to the mourners, who were assembled at Maria Soti Girls Educational Center grounds, how he worked with the self proclaimed ‘Total Man’ back in the days of retired President Moi’s regime.

According to Mr. Kosgey, Biwott was a very crucial and industrious man to the country, advising young leaders to emulate him.

“I even used to wonder how Biwott was able to attend to the many tasks given to him in government. You can imagine working in 8 ministries. It takes great effort to achieve what he achieved in his lifetime,” said the former Tindiret MP.
Here are some of other interesting facts about Biwott;

1. He conducted 18 harambees in one day

His quest for education saw him raise funds for building many educational projects in Keiyo. He even went to an extend of conducting 18 harambees in one day in a bid to solicit funds for building schools.

2. Worked as a journalist

After leaving school in 1959, the late Nicholas Biwott worked as a journalist at the Department of Information in Eldoret. His insights in journalism saw him together with others publish the Kalenjin Monthly newsletter.

3. Three decades as an MP

After venturing in a series of business Enterprises, the late Nicholas Biwott took to politics in 1979 as a Lawmaker for Keiyo-Marakwet. ‘Total man’ also served in 8 ministries, 5 of which he was the Cabinet Minister in this period as the old constitution allowed for one to serve as an MP and at the same time a minister.

4. Successfully championed for the formation of Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)

When the Ministry of State in the Office of the President was under his tutelage between 1979-1982, Nicholas Biwott was instrumental in the establishment of KEMRI. KEMRI’s main duty was to carry out health science research in the country up to date. This is arguably one of his greatest achievement.