Tall man to help tackle towering liquor problem

FROM LEFT: Nacada Chair John Mututho, Jackson Koskei, Governor Isaac Ruto and a county official. Mr Koskei who stands at 7.3 feet will become Nacada brand ambassador in the county. [Photo: Gilbert Kimutai/Standard]

He stood out from the crowd that joined Governor Isaac Ruto to flag off Sh35 million drugs from Kenya Medical supplies Authority to hospitals and health centers in the county.

As everyone in the crowd struggled to catch a glimpse of the exercise presided over by Ruto, he followed the proceedings from the back with ease because of his towering height.

52-year-old Jackson Koskei, presumed to be Kenya's tallest man, attracted everyone's attention during the occasion carried out outside the county headquarters and soon after the flag off, everyone was scrambling to take a photo with him.

Governor Ruto and National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) boss John Mututho were also not left out as they soon were in line for a photo session with him.

Not ordinary

Koskei is no ordinary man. The father of four is 7.3 feet tall - just one foot shy of the world's tallest man, Sultan Kösen from Turkey, who stands at 8.3 feet. Towering over all the men and women in Bomet, he could easily be Kenya's tallest man.

Interestingly, Koskei remained unaware that there was anything unusual about his height until he took his wife to Tenwek Mission Hospital some years ago.

Doctors there, like many other people who see him for the first time, were amazed by his towering frame and they asked to measure his height.

"One of the doctors who took my measurements suggested to his colleagues that they should inform the record keepers. He said he believed my height was unique in the country," Koskei says.

Because of this unique feature, Koskei is now poised to be Nacada's brand ambassador in the region after the governor said the county will consider employing his unique features when carrying out campaigns against drug abuse in the county

"I think you are the right person to help us in sensitisation against drug abuse and alcohol among youth and the county will employ your services," Mr Ruto told Koskei during the photo session.

Ruto's sentiments were backed by Mr Mututho who said Koskei is "the best person to be used in the campaigns which would also help him sell his unique features".

Koskei, or Kangaga as he has come to be fondly known in the region, said he would be willing to help fight the drug menace as well as other vices in society.

"I will not mind helping to fight drug abuse in Bomet as well as promoting the county's other unique features," he said.

He revealed that previously, the attention he would get from people on the streets used to irritate and annoy him. He is, however, now beginning to get used to it and will once in a while make stops in the streets to appreciate those who identify with him.

"Nowadays, I am used to being stopped in the streets for a photo session by those who are attracted by my height," he said.