Popularly known as ‘Total man’, the late Nicholas Biwott was one of the most rese veteran politicians in the Rift Valley region and the whole country even after retiring from politics.
Biwott first vied for a parliamentary seat in 1974 but lost and was appointed to be Daniel Moi's personal assistant who was then the Vice President.
The two were close friends at that time and in 1979, Biwott made it to parliament as the MP for Keiyo Marakwet, a position he would later hold until to 2002 when he was defeated by Jackson Kiptanui.
Born in 1940 in Elgeyo Marakwet county, Biwott rose to be the most dreaded politician, a strong confidant and ally of the longest-serving president of Kenya, Daniel Moi.
The total man was well known for his secretive nature and it was reported that no politician had ever stepped his feet on his homes in either Elgeyo Marakwet or Uasin Gishu counties.
Despite being estimated to be worth Sh100 billion in 2013 and ranked among the top 50 richest persons in Africa, it was interesting that Biwott never owned a mobile phone.
He used his position in Moi's government to grow a very strong political empire and at the time of his death, he owned an airline, a bank, an oil company, a construction firm and Nairobi’s Yaya Towers, among others.
Biwott had also been banned from travelling to the US for being linked to many corruption cases and also being implicated to the mysterious assassination of Dr Robert Ouko.
He died on July 11, 2017, leaving behind six children and three windows. His remains were buried at his rural home in Kaptarakwa ward, Elgeyo Marakwet county.