He transitioned into public service in the 1980s, serving as Minister for Finance navigating structural adjustments, Kenya's longest-serving Vice President under President Moi, for about 13 years across terms, Minister for Education key in implementing free primary education, and Minister for Internal Security leading efforts against terrorism, including operations against Al-Shabaab.
Saitoti played a pivotal role in Kenya's shift to multiparty democracy through the Saitoti Committee post-Saba Saba riots promoted ethnic integration in Kajiado North his constituency for over 25 years and authored influential works like The Challenges of Economic and Institutional Reforms in Africa.
Saitoti was described as one of Kenya's richest politicians, with interests in real estate, agriculture, and more built partly through political connections.
His alleged personal wealth, often linked to scandals like Goldenberg where he was implicated in approving fraudulent export compensation schemes that cost Kenya billions in the 1990s.
The "campaign billions" a large war chest reportedly in the billions of shillings he had reportedly amassed for his 2013 presidential bid.Investigations by The Nairobian reveal that Prof Saitoti had assembled a team that was drawing a campaign strategy behind the scenes, even as he steered the sensitive Internal Security docket.
Two US technocrats had flown to Kenya to link up with businessman Jimi Wanjigi, former Cabinet minister Maina Kamanda and Saitoti’s confidant, Peter ole Sapalan, to craft a winning formula for the 2013 elections.
Margaret Saitoti received a mere Ksh 84 million from Ngatia, a paltry sum compared to the billions that have been siphoned off. These revelations not only shocked the nation but also exposed the deep-rooted corruption that plagues the country’s political and legal systems.
According to sources, billions of shillings were wired into unknown foreign accounts days after his death. This money was later redistributed among numerous offshore accounts controlled by the mentioned individuals.
Reports from around 2017 about five years after his death highlighted a "cloud of secrecy" around his fortune.
His legacy endures as a symbol of discipline, intellect, pan-Kenyan unity, and steady leadership in turbulent times. Saitoti is remembered as a cerebral patriot who prioritized the nation above personal ambition. Even years later, many Kenyans reflect on what might have been had he lived to lead.
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