Nicholas Biwott is alive and well, says aide

By VINCENT BARTOO

Eldoret, Kenya: Former powerful Cabinet Minister Nicholas Biwott's personal assistant William Chepkut has dispelled rumours circulating in the social media that his boss had passed on.

Chepkut termed the reports as "unfortunate, careless and meant to create unnecessary apprehension".

He said Biwott is alive and well and that they had flown to Eldoret from Nairobi Friday evening to attend a function Saturday hosted by his friend, Catholic priest father Thomas Kigen in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County.

"We landed in Eldoret and parted ways with my boss at 9 pm. I was shocked when I woke up to find over 120 missed calls by people including calls from State House who were concerned when they heard the reports," said Chepkut.

He said he immediately called his boss and was relieved to hear his voice adding that he had woken up well and ready to fly to Father Kigen's function.

Chepkut said they would take action against individuals who spread the rumour, including a media personality who announced Biwott's supposed death on his twitter account.

"It was very careless of him. This has caused a lot of apprehension and shock to Biwott's family, friends and supporters, the country and abroad. Such people need to be tamed," he added.

He asked journalists to exercise restraint and observe code of ethics before reporting to avoid creating unnecessary tension.