Veteran politician Nicholas Biwott was buried yesterday at his Toot village home in Elgeyo Marakwet.
Biwott died Tuesday last week aged 77 after a long illness.
President Kenyatta and his DP William Ruto led thousands of mourners at the family’s Maria Sotti High School to bid him farewell.
Uhuru said the country has lost a great patriot and a diligent leader.
He recalled working under Biwott
when he was the chairman of the Tourism Board.
Uhuru said Biwott loved detail and attended tourism meetings to market the country abroad.
“He was indeed the best minister of tourism the country has ever had,” Uhuru said.
“Biwott is one such man and sometimes it is sad and very painful to families when people throw out a lot of untruth about others just
because they know if they shake the strong pillars then others around them will fall,” Uhuru said.
He pledged to complete a road near Biwott’s home and give a bus to the school named after Biwott.
Ruto described Biwott as a “Total Man” who was in his own class. “What we have today and what we know about Biwott is that he was a very loyal friend. We have testimony that he was a dependable friend of retired President Moi for long,” Ruto said.
“When the history of the Moi presidency is written there will be several chapters on Biwott.” He said Biwott led a robust public life but kept his family away from the limelight.
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi read a message of condolence from the retired President. Moi said they had been friends for more than five decades and Biwott’s professionalism and astuteness stood out always.
“He was vilified a lot, but to us Biwott was humble and a great person,” his widow Hannie said.
Many friends and businessmen eulogised Biwott as an inspiration to them and one who gave hope. Governors Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Kinuthia Mbuga (Nakuru) and Uasin Gishu’s Jackson Mandago
were present.
They mourned Biwott as a community leader and investor who was prompt in paying dues to the counties including rates. Cabinet Secretaries Amina Mohammed (Foreign Affairs), Eugene Wamalwa (Water), Henry Rotich (Treasury) and Energy’s Charles Keter attended the burial. A longtime aide and friend William Chepkut said Biwott instilled a sense of love.