President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday disclosed that were it not for former nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Mark Too, he would have probably not ascended to power.
Speaking during Too's burial in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenyatta recalled how the late politician convinced him not to give up politics after he (Uhuru) unsuccessfully vied for the Gatundu-South Parliamentary seat in 1997.
“He said if you want to create an impact in this country then you must join politics. I decided to run for the Gatundu South seat on a KANU ticket in 1997 but I was rejected because of the party. But he kept asking me to join politics. Then I asked him which seat, yet there was none that was vacant,” Kenyatta told the mourners.
The President continued and divulged that it was Mr Too who proposed him for nomination to take a seat reserved for the Coast region, but former President Daniel Moi disagreed until now deceased politician resigned in 2001 to pave way for Uhuru.
“He [Too] said I go and tell President Moi to take the seat for an MP in Mombasa. I went to Mzee and told him but Moi was angry about that proposal.
“Mr Too finally decided to resign in 2001, paving way for my entry into national politics,” Kenyatta disclosed.
Kenyatta termed Mr Too a person who loved peace and who would put all his efforts to ensure leaders were united in the country.
The MP died on New Year's eve and was laid to rest at his Maziwa Farm home where President Kenyatta was present among other dignitaries.
Too died at St Lukes Hospital in Eldoret after suffering a heart attack.
