Nicholas Biwott
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Nicholas Kipyatur Kiprono arap Biwott (b. 1941) is a wealthy Kenyan businessman and politician. During the presidency of Daniel arap Moi (1978-2002), with whom he shares Kalenjin tribal background, he was one of Kenya's most powerful and corrupt politicians. Although he denies any involvement, Biwott has been named by Scotland Yard detective John Troon as the prime suspect in the 1990 murder of Foreign Affairs minister Robert Ouko. He has also been implicated in numerous corruption scandals and instances of tribal violence spanning Moi's reign. [1].
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[edit] Education and early life
Biwott was born in Chebor village, Elgeyo, Rift Valley Province in 1941. Between 1950 and 1954, Biwott attended Tambach African Government School, one of his teachers being Daniel arap Moi, who was later to be president of Kenya. Biwott then attended Kapsabet Government African School in Kapsabet until 1958.
In 1959, Biwott began working at the Department of Information in Eldoret. Later, he, together with Kendagor Bett, published the Kalenjin Monthly newsletter.
Biwott studied economics in Australia between 1960 and 1965, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
[edit] Political career
Between 1965 and 1979, Biwott was employed in a number of positions. Starting as a District Officer in Meru, he later transferred to Nairobi, working in the Ministry of Agriculture, the Treasury, and then the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In 1974, Biwott ran as an MP for the Keiyo South constituency, but was defeated. The next election in 1979 he was successful, standing for KANU in Keiyo-Marakwet, retaining the seat in 1983 and 1988. In both 1992 and 1997, he was elected MP for Keiyo South.
Biwott held a number of posts within the government:
- 1979–1982: Minister of Regional Development, Science and Technology
- 1982–1991: Minister of Energy
- January–December 1997: Minister of State in the Office of the President
- 1998–1999: Minister of East African and Regional Co-operation
- 1999–2001: Minister of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry (1999-2001)
- June 2001–: Dec 2002: Minister of Trade and Industry
More recently, Biwott has fought an election for leadership of KANU, the former party of government and now the official opposition. He was soundly beaten by Uhuru Kenyatta.
Biwott has three wives: Australian Hannei, Tanzanian Kavista Lessie, and Dr Margaret Kamar.
He is also considered one of the reachest man in Kenya. It is alleged that Biwott acquired a vast personal fortune during Moi's rule, mostly associated with the Goldenberg scandal. This includes a whole street in Australia and the Yaya Centre (named after his daughter) in Nairobi.
Biwott has variously described himself as 'Total Man' and a 'Clean Politician' although during Daniel arap Moi's rule he was one of the most feared politician in the country.
In December 2004, Biwott was banned by the U.S Department of state from entering the United States for alleged corruption [2].
[edit] Reference
- Cohen, David William & Odhiambo, E. S. Atieno (2004). The Risks of Knowledge: Investigations into the Death of the Hon. Minister John Robert Ouko in Kenya, 1990. Ohio University Press. ISBN 0-8214-1597-2. [3]
