Liberal but Tough: The Life of Mzee Jackson Kibor

Kenyans woke up on Thursday, March 17, 2022, to the sad news that Uasin Gishu politician, farmer, businessman, and politician Mzee Jackson Kibor had died.

As it emerged, the prominent farmer and politician had been battling for his life for several months – since he contracted Covid-19 late in 2020.

According to his wife Naomi Kibor, the virus affected both his lungs and has been on medication since then – before it worsened on March 7, 2022, when he was taken to St Luke’s Hospital.

As fate would have it, Mzee Kibor died on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, aged over 80 years – his age has always been a subject of contention.

To many, he is a controversial individual, but to his close family members and neighbors, he loved all.

“He was a leader with a strong personality since the late Mzee Daniel Moi era. He has done a lot of work, and he is the definition of a real hustler. He started off with nothing and managed to build an empire that he leaves behind today,” narrated his third wife Naomi Kibor

Mzee Jackson Kibor made headlines following his decision to file for divorce against his two wives – first Josephine (his second wife), and later Naomi (whom he married in 1975), both cases being granted by the court.

He also won a case against his children – who wanted that he shares his property amongst them.

But despite the perceived differences with the children, Mzee Kibor later buried the hatchet and shared his properties amongst them.

“Each son was given over 200 acres and daughter 100 acres and above. There will not be any issues, you will not see us in court,” says Phillip Kimutai Kibor, the elder son of the late Mzee Kibor who has 28 children.

Kimutai describes his late dad as very liberal but also tough. He admits that they had their own differences – which he termed as ideological.

“We were frenemies. We disagreed a lot on ideologies but at the end of the day, we ate and discussed our things because he was also a tough man. He never used to like jokes especially when it comes to education matters,” notes Phillip Kimutai Kibor.

Despite all the controversies that rocked his life, Mzee Kibor died a changed man. He was baptized by former Anglican Church of Kenya bishop Rev (Rtd) Silas Yego, and from that point, he started making peace with his children.

“He knew that he has aged. You have to seek salvation when you know that the time is not far. Mzee did what was good – to seek salvation. Everybody in his shoes would do that,” said Kimutai.

Burial arrangements have started in earnest.