By VITALIS KIMUTAI
Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey can be described as a man with nine lives, going by the storms he has survived in his 30-years-old political career.
From the scandal following the collapse of the Kenya National Assurance (KNA), the loss of millions of shillings during the 1987 All Africa Games following an advertising scam, the International Criminal Case ( ICC), which faced him at The Hague and the abuse of office charges – Kosgey has survived them all.
He has held a record eight ministerial posts, has only been defeated once as MP, and repeatedly been in and out of the Cabinet.
He is regarded as a successful businessman, with vast interests in transport, banking, real estate, media, tea estates, and tea processing.
Besides, he remains, the longest serving MP after President Kibaki in the current Parliament making him one of the senior-most and experienced politicians.
Kosgey has for years weathered many political storms nationally, regionally, and in his Nandi backyard, but has always stood out as one who rarely loses his cool.
The soft-spoken but shrewd politician has only once been defeated as an MP – during the 1988 General Election when he lost to Kimaiyo Sego in infamous mlolongo voting, which was roundly condemned as undemocratic.
He made history at the age of 32 when he was appointed Transport and Communication minister in 1979, making him one of the youngest MPs in Cabinet.
In that election, Kosgey beat veteran politician Jean Marie Seroney who had a larger than life image.
While serving at the ministry, he was credited with setting up Kenya Airways, Kenya Railways, Kenya Ports Authority, and modernisation of the telecommunication sector.
