BIWOTT'S PARTY TAKES KENYA BY STORM
Kanini Evans Kariuki
November 02, 2009
SPECIAL REPORT ON NICHOLAS BIWOTT-ONE OF AFRICA´S MOST SEASONED AND BEST KNOWN POLITICIANS
HUNDREDS OF Western Kenya residents have enthusiastically welcomed the formation of the National Vision Party (NVP),whose party leader is former powerful cabinet minister honorable Nicholas Biwott.
The residents who were led by the NVP coordinator in Western Kenya Vincent Maliki, who is also the Party´s Kimilili branch chairman, stated that NVP is the party of the moment in Kenya, and for posterity.
Addressing a mammoth meeting at the Kimilil/Tongaren center in the Western Kenya region over the weekend, the residents vowed to decamp form the other political parties and join NVP.
Maliki who spoke at length on behalf of the residents, charged that the rest of the parties in the country were rocked by persistent leadership noise and squabbles but NVP, he pointed out, was clean and not ridden by controversy.
Maliki supported Biwott´s declaration that NVP was an outfit for the common people, and that he (Biwott) would be the party´s presidential torch bearer in the 2012 General elections.
He described Biwott as a straight-forward and honest veteran politician, an astute business executive, with no history of tax-evasion, and a generous leader who mingled with everyone freely, irrespective of his social status.
Biwott, Maliki emphasized, was also respected for his managerial prowess and on the strength of this, he was set to make NVP scale giddy heights politically in this East African country.
Several Kenyans across the country have been joining NVP in large numbers ahead of the 2012 polls.
The Biwott-led party has taken the political landscape by storm, making politicians in other political outfits get jittery.
There is political maturity in NVP with no acts of mudslinging, and besides, an admirable spirit of camaraderie among its officials and followers reigns.
WHO IS NICHOLAS BIWOTT?
A LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND OF THIS INFLUENTIAL AND LEVEL-HEADED POLITICIAN,RESPECTED BUSINESSMAN AND BRILLIANT INTELLECTUAL.READ ON……
He was born in 1941.
He is a prominent Kenyan businessman and long-standing politician.His entrepreneurial capabilities are known and recognized in several parts of the world.
Biwott and the former president of Kenya Daniel arap Moi(who ruled from 1978-2002), are from the same Kalenjin ethnic backgrounds,but different sub-tribes.
Biwott is a Keiyo,while Moi is a Tugen.
During Moi´s presidency, Biwott was the most powerful politician outside State House. He was said to be in his thinking best always.
He was born in Chebior village, Keiyo District, in the expansive Rift Valley Province.
His father was Cheserem Biwott (but he passed on in 2009).
Between 1950 and 1954, Biwott attended the Tambach African Government School, one of his teachers being Daniel arap Moi who was later to be President of Kenya.
Biwott then attended the Kapsabet Government African School in Kapsabet until 1958.
In 1959, Biwott began working at the Department of Information in Eldoret.
Later, he, together with one Kendagor Bett, published the Kalenjin monthly newsletter.
GRADUATION
Biwott studied government and economics in Australia between 1960 and 1965, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
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 unsuccessfully attempted to be an MP for the Keiyo South constituency.
However, in the next election in 1979 he was successful, riding on a KANU ticket in Keiyo – Marakwet, retaining the seat in 1983 and 1988. In 1992, 1997, and 2002 he was elected the MP for Keiyo South.
In the Parliamentary elections held on December 27th 2007, Nicholas Biwott running on a KANU ticket,lost his Keiyo South Parliamentary seat to political novice Jackson Kiptanui arap Kamai of the Orange Democratic Party(ODM),whose wave had become formidable in the country.
But his defeat was understandable since a majority of his tribesmen and supporters had been swayed into the ODM bandwagon.
Biwott had served continuously as the MP for Keiyo South from 1979 under the banner of KANU-the then ruling party in Kenya.
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
June 2001-December 2002: Minister of Trade and Industry.
More recently, Biwott fought an election for the leadership of KANU, the former party of government, but lost to Uhuru Kenyatta-the political greenhorn plucked out from the blues by former President Moi and made to vie for the presidency in 2002, but lost to President Mwai Kibaki.
Uhuru Kenyatta is the son of Kenya´s founding President,the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Uhuru-then a political novice is now the country´s Finance minister.
VARIOUS OCCASIONS
On various occasions, Nicholas Biwott has been described as "Total Man" and a "Clean Politician", although during Moi´s rule he was one of the most reverred politicians in the country.
KANU CHAIRMAN
At a National Delegates Conference of KANU allied to Nicholas Biwott and Daniel arap Moi ,held on November 24,2006 in the coastal city of Mombasa, Nicholas Biwott was elected the chairman of KANU.
On November 27, 2006, the Registrar of Societies of the government of Kenya officially registered Nicholas Biwott as the chairman of KANU, replacing Uhuru Kenyatta.
Also replaced by the Registrar were all the officials allied to Uhuru Kenyatta including the Secretary General of KANU , William Ruto who was replaced by Dr. Josephine Ojiambo.
This action by the government/Registrar of Societies was against the wishes of Uhuru Kenyatta and the faction of KANU allied to Uhuru, William Ruto and the Orange Democratic Party of Kenya (ODM-K).
The KANU faction allied to Biwott had accused the KANU faction allied to Uhuru of joining another party-ODM-K.
Biwott´s takeover of KANU,it was said by pundits,appeared to enjoy the support and blessing of Moi who was against any co-operation between KANU and ODM-K.
However,on November 30, the Deputy Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament ruled that KANU Members of Parliament had not elected a new leader of the opposition,and consequently, Uhuru Kenyatta would continue serving as the Official Leader of the Opposition until the KANU members of Parliament decided otherwise.
On December 28, the High Court of Kenya reinstated Uhuru Kenyatta as KANU chairman; however,Biwott protested the move and further court proceedings followed.
On June 28, 2007, the High Court confirmed Uhuru as party leader and directed that there was insufficient evidence for Biwott´s argument that he (Uhuru) had joined another party. Biwott´s lawyer said he would appeal.
For now,Biwott´s absence in parliament is greatly felt mostly from his people and the entire Rift Valley.
His constituents are regretting for having elected a new entrant who has already been described as a novice in politics and has failed them considerably one year down the line.
It has proved difficult for the new MP for Keiyo South to fill Biwott´s extremely large shoes.
It is said Biwott´s many followers put pressure on him not to quit politics after the Uhuru/Kanu debacle, hence the establishment of the very vibrant party-the National Vision Party (NVP)which is sending shock waves across the country, particularly in the vote-rich Rift Valley Province.
The Uhuru camp thought it had outwitted Biwott but as the fast-thinking politician that he is naturally,Biwott outwitted Uhuru and company by moving to the NVP where he became the Party leader.
His move struck Uhuru like a thunderbolt,as Biwott successfully pulled the rug from under Uhuru's feet.Beaten Uhuru did not utter a word.
That is politics and it should be played like politics!
A LEADING EAST AFRICAN DAILY RECENTLY CAPTURED ONE OF BIWOTT´S MOST SIGNIFICANT AND WISDOM-FILLED SPEECHES EVER,AND REPORTED THUS:
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP KEY TO DEVELOPMENT-BIWOTT
Great economic problems confronting Kenya and other African countries will only be addressed if leaders shunned unnecessary politicking,discarded political divisions and focused on developmental issues, National Vision Party(NVP)leader, Nicholas Biwott said yesterday .
Biwott further stated that there was dire need for unity of purpose that transcends tribal connotations and borders for peace to prevail in the country, as this was a prerequisite for development in all spheres.
While speaking at the NVP Kapsabet town offices and Kapchepsir Primary School in Emgwen, Nandi District,of the Rift Valley province,the NPV leader asserted that the myriad of problems ranging from unemployment which bedeviled the country and Africa called for concerted efforts from all and sundry in order to make Kenya and the continent a better place to live in.
The former Keiyo South lawmaker emphasized that Kenya was not an exemption from the world economic crisis, besides the many other natural catastrophes like harsh climate and therefore, all possible avenues should be tapped in an endeavor to improve the situation.
A QUOTABLE AND MEMORABLE STATEMENT FROM BIWOTT:
"I believe that now is the time for all of us-Kenyans and Africans,to stand up and be counted.We should play down politics,shun political divisions,and instead engage actively and vigorously in tackling head on,the great economic problems that confront us".
And Biwott further stated that most of the solutions for problems facing Kenyans were "here with us" but serious commitment was needed before a proper way forward was unearthed.
He indicated that times were hard for millions of Kenyans who have become victims, particularly as a result of the collapse of Western economies.
He regretted that a majority of Kenyans were unemployed, with little prospects of getting jobs in the future.
In efforts geared at addressing the problem, Biwott pointed out that Kenyan leaders should focus on job creation for the youth which, he said, was of particular concern and central to the NVP´s program of action.
"The plight of Kenya´s young people is of particular concern to the NVP. It is our program that Kenyan youth should be at the centre of national development," the veteran politician stressed.
In an open apparently universal development agenda addressing the situation, Biwott further indicated that there was need to invest in education and training of young Kenyans to equip them with skills for jobs to be created.
"It is of paramount importance that young Kenyans be trained to a level necessary to succeed in a modern economy, provide re-training required over time in order to keep pace with a first-moving, fast-changing world," he said.
Biwott further asserted that for a conducive job creation atmosphere, the Government should build and re-build the infrastructure– its roads, bridges, hospitals and schools.
He added that the creation of good jobs and prospects would go a long way in improving the living standards of many Kenyans with a will to work.
Saying that NVP´s vision was to network and cooperate with other development partners, Biwott noted that co-operation with international partners should be sought as part of the development strategy for Kenya.
HUNDREDS OF Western Kenya residents have enthusiastically welcomed the formation of the National Vision Party (NVP),whose party leader is former powerful cabinet minister honorable Nicholas Biwott.
The residents who were led by the NVP coordinator in Western Kenya Vincent Maliki, who is also the Party´s Kimilili branch chairman, stated that NVP is the party of the moment in Kenya, and for posterity.
Addressing a mammoth meeting at the Kimilil/Tongaren center in the Western Kenya region over the weekend, the residents vowed to decamp form the other political parties and join NVP.
Maliki who spoke at length on behalf of the residents, charged that the rest of the parties in the country were rocked by persistent leadership noise and squabbles but NVP, he pointed out, was clean and not ridden by controversy.
Maliki supported Biwott´s declaration that NVP was an outfit for the common people, and that he (Biwott) would be the party´s presidential torch bearer in the 2012 General elections.
He described Biwott as a straight-forward and honest veteran politician, an astute business executive, with no history of tax-evasion, and a generous leader who mingled with everyone freely, irrespective of his social status.
Biwott, Maliki emphasized, was also respected for his managerial prowess and on the strength of this, he was set to make NVP scale giddy heights politically in this East African country.
Several Kenyans across the country have been joining NVP in large numbers ahead of the 2012 polls.
The Biwott-led party has taken the political landscape by storm, making politicians in other political outfits get jittery.
There is political maturity in NVP with no acts of mudslinging, and besides, an admirable spirit of camaraderie among its officials and followers reigns.
WHO IS NICHOLAS BIWOTT?
A LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND OF THIS INFLUENTIAL AND LEVEL-HEADED POLITICIAN,RESPECTED BUSINESSMAN AND BRILLIANT INTELLECTUAL.READ ON……
He was born in 1941.
He is a prominent Kenyan businessman and long-standing politician.His entrepreneurial capabilities are known and recognized in several parts of the world.
Biwott and the former president of Kenya Daniel arap Moi(who ruled from 1978-2002), are from the same Kalenjin ethnic backgrounds,but different sub-tribes.
Biwott is a Keiyo,while Moi is a Tugen.
During Moi´s presidency, Biwott was the most powerful politician outside State House. He was said to be in his thinking best always.
He was born in Chebior village, Keiyo District, in the expansive Rift Valley Province.
His father was Cheserem Biwott (but he passed on in 2009).
Between 1950 and 1954, Biwott attended the Tambach African Government School, one of his teachers being Daniel arap Moi who was later to be President of Kenya.
Biwott then attended the Kapsabet Government African School in Kapsabet until 1958.
In 1959, Biwott began working at the Department of Information in Eldoret.
Later, he, together with one Kendagor Bett, published the Kalenjin monthly newsletter.
GRADUATION
Biwott studied government and economics in Australia between 1960 and 1965, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
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 unsuccessfully attempted to be an MP for the Keiyo South constituency.
However, in the next election in 1979 he was successful, riding on a KANU ticket in Keiyo – Marakwet, retaining the seat in 1983 and 1988. In 1992, 1997, and 2002 he was elected the MP for Keiyo South.
In the Parliamentary elections held on December 27th 2007, Nicholas Biwott running on a KANU ticket,lost his Keiyo South Parliamentary seat to political novice Jackson Kiptanui arap Kamai of the Orange Democratic Party(ODM),whose wave had become formidable in the country.
But his defeat was understandable since a majority of his tribesmen and supporters had been swayed into the ODM bandwagon.
Biwott had served continuously as the MP for Keiyo South from 1979 under the banner of KANU-the then ruling party in Kenya.
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
June 2001-December 2002: Minister of Trade and Industry.
More recently, Biwott fought an election for the leadership of KANU, the former party of government, but lost to Uhuru Kenyatta-the political greenhorn plucked out from the blues by former President Moi and made to vie for the presidency in 2002, but lost to President Mwai Kibaki.
Uhuru Kenyatta is the son of Kenya´s founding President,the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Uhuru-then a political novice is now the country´s Finance minister.
VARIOUS OCCASIONS
On various occasions, Nicholas Biwott has been described as "Total Man" and a "Clean Politician", although during Moi´s rule he was one of the most reverred politicians in the country.
KANU CHAIRMAN
At a National Delegates Conference of KANU allied to Nicholas Biwott and Daniel arap Moi ,held on November 24,2006 in the coastal city of Mombasa, Nicholas Biwott was elected the chairman of KANU.
On November 27, 2006, the Registrar of Societies of the government of Kenya officially registered Nicholas Biwott as the chairman of KANU, replacing Uhuru Kenyatta.
Also replaced by the Registrar were all the officials allied to Uhuru Kenyatta including the Secretary General of KANU , William Ruto who was replaced by Dr. Josephine Ojiambo.
This action by the government/Registrar of Societies was against the wishes of Uhuru Kenyatta and the faction of KANU allied to Uhuru, William Ruto and the Orange Democratic Party of Kenya (ODM-K).
The KANU faction allied to Biwott had accused the KANU faction allied to Uhuru of joining another party-ODM-K.
Biwott´s takeover of KANU,it was said by pundits,appeared to enjoy the support and blessing of Moi who was against any co-operation between KANU and ODM-K.
However,on November 30, the Deputy Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament ruled that KANU Members of Parliament had not elected a new leader of the opposition,and consequently, Uhuru Kenyatta would continue serving as the Official Leader of the Opposition until the KANU members of Parliament decided otherwise.
On December 28, the High Court of Kenya reinstated Uhuru Kenyatta as KANU chairman; however,Biwott protested the move and further court proceedings followed.
On June 28, 2007, the High Court confirmed Uhuru as party leader and directed that there was insufficient evidence for Biwott´s argument that he (Uhuru) had joined another party. Biwott´s lawyer said he would appeal.
For now,Biwott´s absence in parliament is greatly felt mostly from his people and the entire Rift Valley.
His constituents are regretting for having elected a new entrant who has already been described as a novice in politics and has failed them considerably one year down the line.
It has proved difficult for the new MP for Keiyo South to fill Biwott´s extremely large shoes.
It is said Biwott´s many followers put pressure on him not to quit politics after the Uhuru/Kanu debacle, hence the establishment of the very vibrant party-the National Vision Party (NVP)which is sending shock waves across the country, particularly in the vote-rich Rift Valley Province.
The Uhuru camp thought it had outwitted Biwott but as the fast-thinking politician that he is naturally,Biwott outwitted Uhuru and company by moving to the NVP where he became the Party leader.
His move struck Uhuru like a thunderbolt,as Biwott successfully pulled the rug from under Uhuru's feet.Beaten Uhuru did not utter a word.
That is politics and it should be played like politics!
A LEADING EAST AFRICAN DAILY RECENTLY CAPTURED ONE OF BIWOTT´S MOST SIGNIFICANT AND WISDOM-FILLED SPEECHES EVER,AND REPORTED THUS:
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP KEY TO DEVELOPMENT-BIWOTT
Great economic problems confronting Kenya and other African countries will only be addressed if leaders shunned unnecessary politicking,discarded political divisions and focused on developmental issues, National Vision Party(NVP)leader, Nicholas Biwott said yesterday .
Biwott further stated that there was dire need for unity of purpose that transcends tribal connotations and borders for peace to prevail in the country, as this was a prerequisite for development in all spheres.
While speaking at the NVP Kapsabet town offices and Kapchepsir Primary School in Emgwen, Nandi District,of the Rift Valley province,the NPV leader asserted that the myriad of problems ranging from unemployment which bedeviled the country and Africa called for concerted efforts from all and sundry in order to make Kenya and the continent a better place to live in.
The former Keiyo South lawmaker emphasized that Kenya was not an exemption from the world economic crisis, besides the many other natural catastrophes like harsh climate and therefore, all possible avenues should be tapped in an endeavor to improve the situation.
A QUOTABLE AND MEMORABLE STATEMENT FROM BIWOTT:
"I believe that now is the time for all of us-Kenyans and Africans,to stand up and be counted.We should play down politics,shun political divisions,and instead engage actively and vigorously in tackling head on,the great economic problems that confront us".
And Biwott further stated that most of the solutions for problems facing Kenyans were "here with us" but serious commitment was needed before a proper way forward was unearthed.
He indicated that times were hard for millions of Kenyans who have become victims, particularly as a result of the collapse of Western economies.
He regretted that a majority of Kenyans were unemployed, with little prospects of getting jobs in the future.
In efforts geared at addressing the problem, Biwott pointed out that Kenyan leaders should focus on job creation for the youth which, he said, was of particular concern and central to the NVP´s program of action.
"The plight of Kenya´s young people is of particular concern to the NVP. It is our program that Kenyan youth should be at the centre of national development," the veteran politician stressed.
In an open apparently universal development agenda addressing the situation, Biwott further indicated that there was need to invest in education and training of young Kenyans to equip them with skills for jobs to be created.
"It is of paramount importance that young Kenyans be trained to a level necessary to succeed in a modern economy, provide re-training required over time in order to keep pace with a first-moving, fast-changing world," he said.
Biwott further asserted that for a conducive job creation atmosphere, the Government should build and re-build the infrastructure– its roads, bridges, hospitals and schools.
He added that the creation of good jobs and prospects would go a long way in improving the living standards of many Kenyans with a will to work.
Saying that NVP´s vision was to network and cooperate with other development partners, Biwott noted that co-operation with international partners should be sought as part of the development strategy for Kenya.
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