,
12 tweets,
5 min read
Read on Twitter
Kenya once had great leaders and one of them was Kenya's second VP, Joseph Murumbi
1/
Joseph Zuzarte Murumbi was born in Kenya in 1911, from a Goan father and Maasai mother, the daughter of Murumbi, the Maasai Laibon (political leader) for the Uasin Gishu Maasai.
A thread
1/
Joseph Zuzarte Murumbi was born in Kenya in 1911, from a Goan father and Maasai mother, the daughter of Murumbi, the Maasai Laibon (political leader) for the Uasin Gishu Maasai.
A thread
2/
Murumbi was probably one of the continent’s greatest private collector of art, books, postage stamps, artifacts, textiles, jewellery and everything African, including 50,000 documents on Africa, many of which he acquired during the decade that he was in exile in England
Murumbi was probably one of the continent’s greatest private collector of art, books, postage stamps, artifacts, textiles, jewellery and everything African, including 50,000 documents on Africa, many of which he acquired during the decade that he was in exile in England
3/
The National Archives houses just a small portion of the entirety of his collection, which he gifted to the Kenyan government in the 1970s
The National Archives houses just a small portion of the entirety of his collection, which he gifted to the Kenyan government in the 1970s
4/
Murumbi was an enigma: he tried to be both a Western capitalist (the arts) and an African socialist (a man of the landless and the poor) at the same time. He seemed to me he was always at war with himself, never the sum of one ideology.
Murumbi was an enigma: he tried to be both a Western capitalist (the arts) and an African socialist (a man of the landless and the poor) at the same time. He seemed to me he was always at war with himself, never the sum of one ideology.
5/
Educated in India, he was the man Jomo Kenyatta trusted most besides his own “Kiambu Mafia” colleagues – Minister of State Mbiyu Koinange (US educated), Attorney-General Charles Njonjo (a close British ally), and the founding president’s physician and nephew Njoroge Mungai.
Educated in India, he was the man Jomo Kenyatta trusted most besides his own “Kiambu Mafia” colleagues – Minister of State Mbiyu Koinange (US educated), Attorney-General Charles Njonjo (a close British ally), and the founding president’s physician and nephew Njoroge Mungai.
6/
Murumbi was a career diplomat and politician serving as assistant secretary of the Movement for Colonial Freedom. After independence, he was a member of the Kenya House of Representatives, minister of state, minister of external affairs and, in 1966, vice president.
Murumbi was a career diplomat and politician serving as assistant secretary of the Movement for Colonial Freedom. After independence, he was a member of the Kenya House of Representatives, minister of state, minister of external affairs and, in 1966, vice president.
7/
Mr. Murumbi was Vice President for only six months, from March 1966 until November 1966, when he quit politics, citing health. He was said to have written his resignation in July 1966, only two months after his appointment.
Most believed it was out of fear for his own life.
Mr. Murumbi was Vice President for only six months, from March 1966 until November 1966, when he quit politics, citing health. He was said to have written his resignation in July 1966, only two months after his appointment.
Most believed it was out of fear for his own life.
8/
From the moment he learnt of the assassination of his good friend and mentor Pio Gama Pinto (February 25, 1965), Murumbi went into a state of shock that never really left him, ever. It is common knowledge that he would wail quite loudly every time Pinto’s name was mentioned.
From the moment he learnt of the assassination of his good friend and mentor Pio Gama Pinto (February 25, 1965), Murumbi went into a state of shock that never really left him, ever. It is common knowledge that he would wail quite loudly every time Pinto’s name was mentioned.
9/
Following his short-lived role as VP, Murumbi allowed the capitalist in him to come out of the closet, in the process serving on the boards of several big businesses including Rothmans of Pall Mall and African Steel Pipes.
nation.co.ke/news/Ex-VP-Jos…
Following his short-lived role as VP, Murumbi allowed the capitalist in him to come out of the closet, in the process serving on the boards of several big businesses including Rothmans of Pall Mall and African Steel Pipes.
nation.co.ke/news/Ex-VP-Jos…
10/
In the late 1970s, Murumbi decided it was time to dispose of his papers and most of his library and art collection. He struck a deal with the Kenya National Archives, which he himself had been instrumental in setting up while he was Vice-President.
the-star.co.ke/news/big-read/…
In the late 1970s, Murumbi decided it was time to dispose of his papers and most of his library and art collection. He struck a deal with the Kenya National Archives, which he himself had been instrumental in setting up while he was Vice-President.
the-star.co.ke/news/big-read/…
11/
He died on 21 June, 1990, at the age of 79. He, along with his wife, is buried just outside the City Park Cemetery. In 2009, thanks to the efforts of Donovan and the Murumbi Trust, the graves became part of the Murumbi Peace Memorial
He died on 21 June, 1990, at the age of 79. He, along with his wife, is buried just outside the City Park Cemetery. In 2009, thanks to the efforts of Donovan and the Murumbi Trust, the graves became part of the Murumbi Peace Memorial
12/
While part of Murumbi's collection can be found at the National Archives on Moi Avenue and at Nairobi Gallery on Kenyatta Avenue, the most intimate parts of that collection are taken care of by Alan Donovan at the African Heritage House just off Msa Road at Mlolongo
While part of Murumbi's collection can be found at the National Archives on Moi Avenue and at Nairobi Gallery on Kenyatta Avenue, the most intimate parts of that collection are taken care of by Alan Donovan at the African Heritage House just off Msa Road at Mlolongo
