•He felt so demeaned and frustrated that his own family turned against him, yet he had worked hard to amass wealth so they could enjoy life.
• Kibor married four wives - one died - and he has 26 children, including 16 boys
Image: FILE
Jackson Kibor was a cantankerous and litigious former politician and gentleman farmer is estimated to be worth Sh6 billion.
He has vast farms in Rift Valley, covering more than 4,500 acres. He has real estate and prime plots in Eldoret, Kapsabet and Nairobi and luxury cars.
He was the only 'farmer' who imported six Mercedes-Benz S and C class cars, among other top-of-the-range vehicles.
He worked as a farmhand and driver for Mzee Chirchir Masit and saved Sh35,000 in 1963 to buy 1,200 acres at Kipkabus in Uasin Gishu and later another Sh200,000 to buy 2,000 acres at Soy farm in 1969.
Kibor bought another 1,200 acres in Trans Nzoia and 357 acres at Mafuta farm near Moiben, among other assets in the region.
From his savings and hard work, Kibor bought all his farms and livestock which earned him more money. He then entered the real estate business.
In 1981, Kibor was elected chairman of the Wareng county council covering current Uasin Gishu county. During his three-year tenure, he became one of the richest men in the country.
He has real estate and prime plots in Eldoret, Kapsabet and Nairobi and luxury cars.
His life
He dropped out of school in 1957 in Standard 5 because he could not pay Sh1.50 per year to continue.
Kibor married four wives - one died. He made headlines with his long, salacious and successful divorces.
He once drew a pistol on a son whom he claimed wanted to attack him with a panga in a land quarrel.
He once dared to ask the late President Daniel Moi to name and groom a successor. He was arrested, taken to State House and forced to kneel and apologise.
He was thrown out of Kanu back in the 90’s, and joined opposition politics.
He was a staunch supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga, whom he said he has worked hard and should be given a chance to lead, even as a ceremonial president.
As a leading maize and wheat farmer, Kibor was passionate about the plight of farmers and never missed a farmers' meeting.
In Eldoret town, Kibor was highly respected. He was the only resident who can park his car anywhere, even in the middle of the road, without paying fees.
Before that, askaris used to clamp his car for illegal parking but Kibor used hack saws to destroy the clamps and drive off. Finally, the Uasin Gishu assembly resolved that senior citizens like Kibor should enjoy free parking.
The darkest point in his life was when he was arrested after being linked to incitement during the 2007-08 post-election violence. Kibor denied the charges, saying he is not a tribalist.
Kibor said he only drank one beer a week, woke up at 6 am and walked a lot.