Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, on February 15, recounted his first experience when he met the late Simeon Nyachae back in the 1980s.
The former Vice President was speaking during Simeon Nyachae’s burial ceremony at his home place in Kisii where other leaders had gathered to give the former minister a decent send off.
“When I first met Mzee Simeon Nyachae, face to face, I had just been appointed Assistant Minister, actually it was on April Fool’s Day. I thought I was being fooled.”
At that time, Nyachae was the Chief Secretary, therefore the one to swear in Kalonzo as a newly appointed Assistant Minister. Kalonzo drove himself to State House in a pick-up, not knowing that they were not allowed into the State House.
“When I got to statehouse, after the swearing in, I explained to Nyachae how I got there. He took pity on me and offered me a lift in his famous Mercedes, and I felt completely appreciated,” said Kalonzo went on to become Assistant Minister for Works, Housing and Physical Planning from 1986 up to1988.
Kalonzo eulogised Nyachae as a kind-hearted and authoritative leader, adding that his leadership is to be celebrated and emulated.
On his part, the ODM party leader Raila Odinga recounted his time with Nyachae where they shared a lot. He said that Nyachae excelled as an administrator and eventually in civil service, then as a Cabinet Minister.
Raila seemed to evade politics where he remarked, “Today is not for politics, but I can say BBI.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his speech during the burial, remembered Nyachae as a great leader, and went on to mention how as a young man he had been friends with Nyachae's son.
