Why Jomo Kenyatta Never Stepped His Foot In Kisumu Since 1969 Untill His Death

The 1969 murder of Tom Mboya and the events that followed were one of the numerous mishaps of the Kenyatta era, and they would forever polarize Kikuyu-Luo relations. Shamefully, the ideal treatment to permanently stop this interethnic hostility has not yet been discovered. All security indicators and advice thereof suggested that Kenyatta should not travel to Kisumu to open the Russian-sponsored hospital, according to the late head of the civil service G.K. Kariithi, who related this in his memoirs. Kariithi dutifully informed his employer on this. Yet, a furious Kenyatta, whose bravery seemed to have been pricked, asked Kariithi, “Geoffrey, is Kisumu in Kenya?”

The late Kariithi was all too aware of the implication of his boss’ snide question. To inaugurate the Soviet hospital, Kenyatta therefore marched to Kisumu. And as was to be expected, things got ugly in Kisumu. People in Luo land were rioting and demanding Kenyatta’s release because they thought he was responsible for Mboya’s death. The President and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga were arguing as the President took the stage to deliver a speech. It should be recalled that Oginga lost his cool with Kenyatta three years prior. He had already launched the KPU party. There was a public altercation during which an enraged Kenyatta spoke casually at Odinga.

Why Jomo Kenyatta Never Stepped His Foot In Kisumu Since 1969 Untill His DeathThe Luo nation observed a day of grief on Saturday. People were hurling rocks at Kenyatta’s convoy as they traveled. Oginga Odinga and other KPU party leaders were held the following day after being apprehended. Kenyatta never returned to Kisumu after that point till his death.

Source:https://youtu.be/p1FfkrNrHDo