Former Minister Nicholas Biwott. The politician died on July, 11, 2017 aged 77. President Uhuru Kenyatta engineered his departure from limelight [nation.co.ke].When the politically inexperienced Uhuru Kenyatta accepted to be former President Daniel Moi's successor, he accepted it on one condition that he would be allowed to craft a new-look Kanu not weighed down by the baggage of the past, says veteran Journalist Macharia Gaitho.Gaitho says on the Nation that Uhuru was adamant that a reformed Kanu must signal a clear change of direction by getting rid of the old guard and putting in place a new generation of youthful leaders to steer the party into a new era.Among the politicians Uhuru insisted must go, Gaitho says, were the powerful troika of Vice-President George Saitoti, secretary-general Joseph Kamotho, and organising secretary Nicholas Biwott. Biwott was, until he died on Tuesday, the last surviving member of the trio.Once feared as the most powerful man in the county other than the President, Biwott’s gradual exit from the centre stage of national life marked the rise of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto."The beginning of his slide can be traced to the period around the 2002 General Election, when President Moi crafted his own exit and succession strategy by preparing to hand over the then all-powerful Kanu to a younger generation.Some time early that year, Mr Moi called a meeting of Kalenjin leaders at State House Nakuru to prepare them for the inevitable," says Gaitho.Gaitho adds: "Moi was relinquishing power after 24 years and was going to hand over the reins in Kanu to a younger troika headed by nominated MP Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, and his own youngest son and designated heir in Baringo District and wider Kalenjin politics, Mr Gideon Moi."He notes that Moi would retain the party chairmanship, but stalwarts such as Vice-President Saitoti and secretary-general Kamotho would be dropped to pave the way for the entry of Kenyatta, Ruto and Odinga of National Democratic Party.

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!