Kenyan politician, businessman and mathematician, George Saitoti dies

George Saitoti was born in Maasailand where he grew up herding cattle. He is of Masai and Kikuyu descent which would prove to be a disadvantage in his future political career. He studied in the US where he specialized in mathematics and economics. On his return to Kenya Saitoti entered the political arena and held several ministerial positions. He was appointed Vice President in 1988 by President Daniel arap Moi.  He however lost out on the presidency when Moi chose Mwai Kibaki as his successor. Saitoti’s lack of ethnic support base due to his dual ancestry was seen as a problem. He died on 10 June 2012.