Former President Daniel Moi recalls how he mentored Mark Too

Former President Daniel arap Moi yesterday shed some light on his close relationship with the late Mark Too.

In his condolence message delivered by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, the retired President said he noticed Too's natural flair for diplomacy and quick grasp of political dynamics and alignments as soon as he met him.

"I met him when he was a young man in rural Nandi. After noticing his potential, I mentored him from this rural simplicity to what is currently in the public domain," said Moi.

Under Moi's mentorship, Too went on to excel in his natural flair for diplomacy fused with an immense sense of humour, and delivered on numerous assignments that the former president entrusted to him. 

"He was an affable and personable gentleman with a natural flair for diplomacy. This flair, when fused with his immense sense of humour, stood him in good stead whenever I sent him to undertake certain missions," said Moi.

It is these qualities that earned Too a seat in Parliament and eventually a place in Moi's government.

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"It is due to these qualities that I nominated him to be a Member of Parliament and an assistant minister in my government."

Too was born in Ndebunet, Nandi County, in 1952 and attended Ndebunet Primary School.

He served as an assistant minister under Moi but was forced to resign in 2001 to pave the way for President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He also once served as chairman of Lonrho Group and as a director of The Standard newspaper besides acting as Moi's ambassador at large.

Moi said in both his private and public life, the former nominated MP cultivated friendships and working relationships with not only ordinary people but also local leaders, regional presidents and freedom fighters.

"This was not difficult as Mark was a quick learner and readily grasped the local and regional political dynamics and alignments," Moi said.

According to Moi, Too believed in peaceful conflict resolution, which he managed with a deep sense of humour.

"His generosity, friendliness and infectious laughter will be greatly missed," he said.