Interior CS Fred Matiang'i revealed that the late former Minister Simeon Nyachae was like a father to him for the 20 years they shared together.
Addressing mourners during Nyachae's memorial service held in Nairobi on Thursday, February 11, Matiang;i noted that it was a privilege working with the late minister as his Personal Assistant.
He also noted that Nyachae's political influence was so powerful that he (Matiang'i) continues to use the notes he got from him in his current job as a Cabinet Secretary.
"Like a child who looks up to his towering father, I actually never thought in my life that such a day would come. For 20 years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Mzee Simeon Nyachae.
"In everything except Biology, I am Mzee Nyachae's son because he raised me. I spent so much time with him. Probably two thirds of impact he had in my life cannot actually be verbalised," stated Matiang'i.
He further noted that the intervention of Mzee Nyachae was instrumental in grooming many individuals, some of which run the country today.
He observed that the late former minister invested a lot of resources in the education of many people from Kisii.
"I frankly do not think there is anyone I know that educated many people like Mzee Nyachae," added Matiang'i.
Matiang'i has previously worked as a political consultant to the former powerful Cabinet minister – the two are family relatives.
The CS managed Nyachae’s 2002 presidential campaign where he vied against Mwai Kibaki and the current President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Between 1997 and 2002, Matiang'i worked as Nyachae's secretary, which is where he is believed to have picked the firm administrative skills that catapulted him to the top of Uhuru's cabinet.
Mzee Nyachae died on Monday, February 1, after a long illness. He will be laid to rest on Monday, February 15.
