Total Man was an intelligent leader – Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned former Cabinet Minister, Nicholas Biwott, as a man who was “devoted to the education of young Kenyans” and was also “dedicated to uplifting the community and the country”.

Biwott died aged 77 on Tuesday, July 11 at a Nairobi hospital, where he had been admitted after a long illness. According to family sources, his body was taken to the Lee Funeral Home.

The cause of Biwott’s death is yet to be revealed.

“I was deeply saddened by the news this afternoon that Hon. Nicholas Biwott had left us. It is difficult to find the words with which to do justice to his long service to this nation,” said President Kenyatta.

“All those who knew him well will also remember two other aspects of his character. First, his deep devotion to the education of young Kenyans: he funded many scholarships, and never ceased to insist that young men and women take every opportunity to improve themselves. Many of us have cause to be thankful for this aspect of his character.”

“Second, his dedication to uplifting the community and the country. He never forgot where he came from, which is why he spent decades building schools, hospitals, and every other kind of development project he could. May his generosity never be forgotten,” said President Kenyatta.

The Head of State further remembered the late Biwott as an intelligent man, whose quick-witted character saw him rise through the ranks in public service.

“Throughout his time in Government, his diligence and intelligence shone through. These were the qualities that propelled his rise through the ranks of Government; and these are the qualities that he put at the disposal of the Presidents he served, and of his countrymen. They were balanced by his private warmth, his wit, his attention to detail, and his love of family,” said President Kenyatta.

Biwott served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Keiyo-Marakwet and later the Keiyo South Constituency for 28 years and he held several ministerial and government posts in the KANU government with Kenya’s first three presidents, Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki.

Until his death, he was the leader of the National Vision Party.