A lot has been said about Kenya's founding father, Jomo Kenyatta. I am here to tell you that much of what has been shared is a mix of truths and misconceptions. I've been researching Jomo Kenyatta collectively for over 15 years, and I’ve uncovered amazing stories about his presidency. Many of these are documented in my book, Dark Secrets of the Kenyan Presidency, which you can access for free. But more on that later.
Jomo Kenyatta was a very wise leader. Over the years, I’ve collected numerous accounts, many of which are also included in my book, that highlight his wisdom. Even as he aged and became somewhat out of touch, he remained the "Grand Old Man of Africa." Notably, our current president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was trained by Jomo Kenyatta. Jomo knew early on that his son would one day lead the nation. If you haven’t come across this before, you can find detailed accounts in my book or in previous recordings I’ve made. Jomo’s mentorship of his son and his leadership legacy remain remarkable.
Let me share an example to illustrate Jomo Kenyatta's wisdom and leadership style. This is the story of a police officer named Mugeria, who was stationed at the Nairobi Traffic Headquarters. Mugeria was an exceptional policeman—strict, principled, and unwavering in his commitment to following the law. He refused to accept bribes, which was a rarity then (and even now).
In the 1970s, Mugeria found himself in trouble after impounding vehicles belonging to powerful individuals closely linked to Jomo Kenyatta’s inner circle. These influential figures were not pleased, and Mugeria soon received a summons to meet the president at State House, Nakuru.
Imagine yourself in Mugeria’s shoes. What would you do? Panic, perhaps? Mugeria reported to State House as instructed. He was made to wait for a long time before finally being ushered in to see the president. Jomo Kenyatta entered the room confidently, leaning on his walking stick. For Mugeria, this moment felt like the end of the road. Surely, he thought, he was about to face severe consequences.
To Mugeria’s surprise, Jomo Kenyatta did not reprimand him. Instead, the president asked, "What is your name, young man?" Mugeria answered, “Mugeria.”
Kenyatta burst into laughter. Mugeria stood there, confused and fearful. After a moment, the president looked at him and said, "You are doing a very good job. If I had more policemen like you, Kenya would be a better country. Well done. Go back to your work."
That was the end of the meeting. Mugeria returned to his duties with renewed confidence. It's likely that those who orchestrated the meeting intended to intimidate him or showcase their influence by arranging a direct audience with the president. However, Jomo Kenyatta handled the situation with wisdom, sending a clear message about integrity.
This is just one of many stories that demonstrate Jomo Kenyatta's leadership and decision-making skills. He was a man who took bold stands and made decisions thoughtfully.
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