Nyachae's parents differed over his date of birth

Former Cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae's parents gave conflicting dates of his birth.

His mother Paulina Bosibori said he was born in 1935 while his father, a powerful colonial chief, insisted that he came to the world on February 6, 1932. Nyachae stuck with his father's date.

His name was equally controversial as his father Musa Nyandusi wanted him named after his mother, Nyakembene, but Paulina prevailed, naming him after a cousin Sansora whose nickname was Nyachae (the one who has tea)” as he used to bring tea from Kericho. 

Nyachae went to his father's school which he had built for his children near their home before he was moved to Nyaguta School after attaining the age of eight in 1940.

In 1942, he was transferred to Nyanchwa Seventh-day Adventist School before moving to Kereri District Education Board Primary School that has since changed to Kereri Girls High School.

In 1949, Nyachae was admitted to Kisii High School where he completed his high school and sat Advanced-level examinations.

He was a sportsman in high school which saw him hold a triple jump record in Nyanza province for 12 years. Nyachae was also good in relays and sprints.

Upon completion of his A-levels, he worked as a teacher at Kegati Primary School before joining South Devon Technical College & Churchill College, Cambridge, for his higher education.

In 1954, he was employed at his father’s chief camp as a district clerk and six years later, posted as a District Officer in Kangundo Division.

1963, he was appointed District Commissioner and rose through the ranks to Provincial Commissioner, a position he served from 1965 to 1979.

Nyachae, was appointed Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet in the Moi administration from 1979 to 1987. He retired from the Civil Service in 1987.

Nyachae successfully contested the Nyaribari Chache constituency seat on a Kanu ticket in 1992. He was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Marketing.

In 1998, he was moved to the Finance docket. in 1999, Nyachae was fired from Cabinet after a fall-out with former President Moi.

In 2002, he contested the presidency on a Ford People ticket and came third after Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.

Nyachae served as President Kibaki's Energy minister and retired from politics in 2007.