President Uhuru Kenyatta almost quit politics after losing his Gatundu South parliamentary bid in 1997 to little known Moses Mwihia of Social Democratic Party.
Kenyatta, who had contested for the first time, opted to return to private sector before nominated MP Mark Too stepped down in his favour, a year to 2022 elections in which he was in the presidential race.
Speaking on Monday during Too’s funeral in Uasin Gishu, Uhuru narrated how Too, a confident of retired President Daniel Moi rescued his political career.
“I tried to contest in Gatundu South parliamentary race but lost horribly. I almost lost hope in politics and in fact, I decided to continue with my businesses,” he said.
“Too could come all the time and persuade me to try in 2002 but I’d refuse all the time. I was shocked when he stepped down in my favour. This is a great man,” added President Kenyatta.
However, Uhuru who lost to Mwai Kibaki in 2002 presidential race, won the Gatundu South parliamentary seat where he served for a decade before winning presidency.