Thread by @Citizen_Alert1

6 March 1981 : Jaramogi addressed a rally in Mombasa & called Dictator Jomo Kenyatta a land grabber. He was roundly booed & ostracized for it. Politicians competed on who could lobe the most uncouth insult at Jaramogi. KBC would spend over one hour reading the condemnations

Among those who issued statements read on KBC condemning Jaramogi included:
Kenneth Matiba
Mwai Kibaki
Stanley Oloitiptip
Mulu Mutisya
Kalonzo Musyoka
Elijah Mwangale
Moses Mudavadi
Odongo Omamo
Oloo Aringo

The frenzy reached a point where politicians cited their opponents for either not condemning Jaramogi or not doing so vehemently enough. Such an accusation if it stuck was a sure political fatal blow. So hefty bribes were lavished on KBC producers to repeat certain condemnations

Political rallies would be held around the country with politicians speaking directly into cameras pledging their "unflinching loyalty to 'His Excellency' President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi". That was also the beginning of "Baba Moi" with songs rapidly composed for the occasion

Jaramogi had allegedly referred to himself as "Baba" - something Moi found offensive. At rallies he stated that he (Moi) was the true father of the nation. That title had been reserved for Grand Dictator Jomo Kenyatta. Henceforth every politician referred to Moi as Baba Moi

Since KBC could only broadcast a few statements at a time out of the thousands it received, politicians now took to full page newspaper ads where they issued condemnation of Jaramogi & pledged their loyalty. A huge color portrait of Moi would accompany the ads.

Newspapers made a killing when chairmen of County, Municipal & Urban Councils joined the frenzy issuing loyalty pledges & condemnation of Jaramogi on behalf of the people & councillors of their areas. It wasn't unusual for a county chairman or mayor to take out upto 4 full pages

Delegations from all parts of the country headed to Kabrak, State Houses & Kabarnet gardens in Nairobi to deliver the condemnation & loyalty pledge. Livestock & money followed naturally. Moi would return the favor with bundles of cash. Kenya had entered the political bribery era

It was to naught Jaramogi tried to clarify his remarks urguing that the media had fabricated the alleged quotation. The focus now turned to the Bondo seat. Hezekiel Ougo had resigned to pave way for Jaramogi to take back his old seat & return to parliament. That was never to be.

Keen observers could see a hidden hand behind the hullabaloo. It had "Charles Njonjo" tattooed on it. But Njonjo wasn't alone: Jaramogi was seen as dangerous to land grabbers. The list could fill up as many pages as "The Ndung'u Report". That means the entire political class

These were people who had been relieved when Kenyatta & Mboya jettisoned Jaramogi. Jaramogi was never in Kenyatta's first cabinet; he was a later addition. He was also among the first to be kicked out. Before that Kenyatta denied him any real power transfering portfolios from him

They weren't ready to see Jaramogi back in parliament. So they struck. Jaramogi was informed by Acting KANU Secretary General -Robert Matano - that in order to contest for the Bondo seat he had to apply for "clearance" from party HQs "in the usual manner". He did.

KANU immediately denied him "clearance". Shortly after it was announced that KANU had cleared two additional candidates: A Jalang'o and Odongo Omamo. There was some relief knowing that Jaramogi would throw his weight behind Jalang'o. Omamo was widely detested in Luoland.

The Returning Officer- the local District Commissioner- announced the nomination timetable. Candidates were to submit their papers on a given day from 8 am but not later than 12 noon! And so the trap was set. Omamo arrived shortly after 8 escorted by a heavy security detail.

The DC welcomed him as he would any VIP. They walked into his office and chatted away as the junior officers perfunctorily went through Omamo's documents. The DC then announced that Omamo had been duly nominated. He left with his security. There was no word on Jalang'o

It was later learned that Jalang'o had some difficulties making it to the DCs office. The police just set up dozens of roadblocks- the first outside his home's gate. When he finally neared the DCs office it was an hour to the deadline. He simply couldn't be let in to the office

After complaints increased in intensity he was allowed in but it was one or two minutes past noon - something the DC found necessary to note on the nomination papers. He however purported to clear him to run against Omamo. It was announced that the contest will be between the two

The next day however Kenyans woke up to drama: Odongo Omamo was in court protesting the nomination of Jalang'o. He had a total of one ground: Jalang'o arrived too late to be legally nominated! Needless to say his main witness - the DC - concurred. Omamo 'won' unopposed!

There was a near life photo of him thanking "President Moi" for the seat. Not the people of Bondo. Note that Odongo Omamo was a native of Muhoroni. He wasn't a resident of Bondo. The law required a candidate to have at least 6 months residency in the constituency he contested for

Those who forget past ills are bound to repeat them with more devastating consequences

1981 - Oginga Odinga makes Kenya comeback
csmonitor.com/1981/0331/0331…