John Haramba
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 4, 2022
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Founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta Never Attended Church During His 15 Year Presidency
The mere mention of the founding father of Kenya Mzee Jomo Kenyatta excites an aura of reverence, power and astuteness.
What many might not remember of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s father was that he was a no-nonsense but social man who strongly believed in his convictions and the straight and narrow when dealing with matters of State
1. Jomo Kenyatta Never attended church for 15 years
The 1st President of the Republic of Kenya never attended any church service in his 15-year presidency.
Unlike retired presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki who were on Sunday in attendance at various churches, Kenyatta never attended any church service.
According to the Standard Kenyatta had told the presiding judge Ransley Thaker during the infamous Kapenguria Trial in 1953 that he was “agnostic.”
His funeral service was, however, inter-denominational led by the late PCEA moderator Charles M Kareri.
2. Jomo Kenyatta never slept at State House
According to one of his close associates, Duncan Ndegwa, the founding President never slept at State House.
Ndegwa stated that Kenyatta would not sleep at State House because he said there were 'ghosts of white people and frogs' that croaked the whole night.
He, however, revealed that Kenyatta attempted to sleep at the House on the Hill one night in January 1969 but never slept a wink on that night but instead forced his aides to drive him to his Gatundu home in the middle of the night.
3. Haile Selassie Flywhisk
Every picture of Kenyatta taken during his era captured the founding father flamboyantly waving a flywhisk to the citizenry.
According to sources, Mzee’s flywhisk was a gift to him from the Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Sellassie.
It is stated that it symbolised peace and authority. He memorably also donned a big ring on his finger and a big carved walking stick with a black leather jacket on several occasions to sum it up.
4. Assassination attempt.
Mzee Kenyatta was almost assassinated by a fellow inmate at Kapenguria.
According to records from the then Turkana district commissioner, Mr Leslie Whitehouse, fellow prisoners — including five of the now famous Kapenguria Six — had hatched a plot to harm Kenyatta by enlisting the services of a young Mau Mau scout, Kariuki Chotara, who had been transferred to the Lokitaung Prison.
Chotara apparently lunged at Kenyatta with a knife but was saved by wardens at the facility.
The other inmates were reportedly unhappy with the preferential treatment Kenyatta got.
Source: kenyans.co.ke
The mere mention of the founding father of Kenya Mzee Jomo Kenyatta excites an aura of reverence, power and astuteness.
What many might not remember of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s father was that he was a no-nonsense but social man who strongly believed in his convictions and the straight and narrow when dealing with matters of State
1. Jomo Kenyatta Never attended church for 15 years
The 1st President of the Republic of Kenya never attended any church service in his 15-year presidency.
Unlike retired presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki who were on Sunday in attendance at various churches, Kenyatta never attended any church service.
According to the Standard Kenyatta had told the presiding judge Ransley Thaker during the infamous Kapenguria Trial in 1953 that he was “agnostic.”
His funeral service was, however, inter-denominational led by the late PCEA moderator Charles M Kareri.
2. Jomo Kenyatta never slept at State House
According to one of his close associates, Duncan Ndegwa, the founding President never slept at State House.
Ndegwa stated that Kenyatta would not sleep at State House because he said there were 'ghosts of white people and frogs' that croaked the whole night.
He, however, revealed that Kenyatta attempted to sleep at the House on the Hill one night in January 1969 but never slept a wink on that night but instead forced his aides to drive him to his Gatundu home in the middle of the night.
3. Haile Selassie Flywhisk
Every picture of Kenyatta taken during his era captured the founding father flamboyantly waving a flywhisk to the citizenry.
According to sources, Mzee’s flywhisk was a gift to him from the Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Sellassie.
It is stated that it symbolised peace and authority. He memorably also donned a big ring on his finger and a big carved walking stick with a black leather jacket on several occasions to sum it up.
4. Assassination attempt.
Mzee Kenyatta was almost assassinated by a fellow inmate at Kapenguria.
According to records from the then Turkana district commissioner, Mr Leslie Whitehouse, fellow prisoners — including five of the now famous Kapenguria Six — had hatched a plot to harm Kenyatta by enlisting the services of a young Mau Mau scout, Kariuki Chotara, who had been transferred to the Lokitaung Prison.
Chotara apparently lunged at Kenyatta with a knife but was saved by wardens at the facility.
The other inmates were reportedly unhappy with the preferential treatment Kenyatta got.
Source: kenyans.co.ke
