Politics is always characterised by conflict and betrayal.
In 1998, the then Minister for Finance Simeon Nyachae got into President Daniel Moi's bad books after he declared that Kenya's economy was in the 'ICU'. Moi didn't take the statement lightly as it was later observed.
During the Interparty Caucus Meeting held in Mombasa with the objective of remedying the 'stressed' economy, Nyachae pointed out that Kenya then had a domestic debt of around Sh140 billion and pending bills of up to Sh7 billion. At the time, one US dollar was equivalent to Sh59.
Nyachae proposed the civil service to be cut by 20 per cent and pointed out an accusing finger on the government, noting that corruption was killing the country's economy.
Shortly after Nyachae's declaration Moi reshuffled the Cabinet, moving Nyachae from the Finance docket to the less influential MInistry of Industry. Nyachae chose to resign after the reshuffle in 1999.
This led to verbal fights between the duo. In 2000, Moi took the feud to Nyachae's home town where he accused the politician of being selfish.
"Some people are self-centred and do not think of the Abagusii people's future, but of their own. I gave one of your sons a job to take care of all government funds at the Treasury, but he resigned and accused my government of being corrupt and that it was led by thieves," said Moi as quoted by the Daily Nation.
"I am blamed for everything. When he (Nyachae), was at the Treasury, why did he not add an inch of tarmac on this road if he is sincere?" he added.
Nyachae later promised Kenyans that he would vie for the presidency and help in taming corruption in the country.
He, however, noted that he had no problem with Moi, terming him a friend.
"We have eaten with him together, he has slept in my house and I will handle him as a friend," Nyachae said at a funds drive in Bomet.