Mbiyu Koinange: One of the most powerful, influential ministers

Peter Mbiyu Koinange. (Courtesy)

Peter Mbiyu Koinange was a powerful Kenyan politician and close associate of Kenya's first President Jomo Kenyatta, before and after the country’s independence.

He served as a Cabinet minister in the government of Mzee Kenyatta for close to 17 years. He held various ministerial dockets including as Minister of State in the Office of the President, Minister of Education, Pan-African Affairs, and Minister of External Affairs. All this time, he was also serving as Member of Parliament for Kiambaa Constituency.

Koinange, who was Jomo Kenyatta’s confidant, was among the first Kenyans to attain university education. Reports says he eagerly wanted to inherit Jomo Kenyatta’s presidency when the latter was sick but he did not get the chance.

The long serving minister was among the top performing students at Alliance High School after which he enrolled at Hampton Institute in Virginia, the United States of America, for a degree course in political science.  After this course, he went on to pursue a master’s degree in sociology at Columbia University from where he graduated in 1938.

As a Cabinet minister, Mbiyu Koinange's legacy is remembered for his commitment to the development and stabilisation of Kenya during an important historical period. His efforts in political stability, education, international relations, economic policies, land reforms, were instrumental in laying the foundation for the growth and development of the young nation.

His close relationship with President Kenyatta enabled him to play a role of suppressing political dissent and consolidating the then ruling party, KANU for the purpose of ensuring a unified government.

Throughout his tenure, Koinange profoundly introduced and supported policies focused on economic stability and growth. He was part of the team that drafted strategies for diversification and industrialisation of the economy geared towards reducing dependency on agriculture alone.

Koinange’s relationship with Mzee Kenyatta was cordial and was marked with mutual camaraderie and respect.

Koinange died on September, 3, 1981 after a long illness.