FORMER PRESIDENT DANIEL MOI KNEW OF THE COUP PLOT BEFORE IT HAPPENED.

 I was aware of an imminent military coup as we neared August 1982. I knew of it because the information was covered in our Provincial Security summaries

 

David Musila

 Former gubernatorial candidate for Kitui County David Musila who also served for a long time as an administrator under retired president Daniel arap Moi, has lifted the lid on what exactly transpired during and after the failed 1982 coup attempt by a section of the Kenyan military. His book under the title “A country on tenterhooks” is currently being serialized by The Daily Nation

I was aware of an imminent military coup as we neared August 1982. I knew of it because the information was covered in our Provincial Security summaries. It began as rumours, which I thought should not have been cause for undue alarm. Then as we neared the date of the 1982 Central Kenya Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show, a popular agricultural and trade fair hosted in Nyeri town, rumours started escalating. According to the rumours, the coup was to take place that show weekend. The ASK Show was staged annually at the end of July and the Head of State always graced the opening of the Show at the Ruring’u Stadium.

A few days before the scheduled date, I received a call from the State House Comptroller, Abraham Kiptanui. He informed me that after opening the Show on July 30, 1982, the President would spend the night at the nearby Sagana State Lodge. As was customary, I organised a few troupes of popular traditional dancers for the President’s evening entertainment. I also detailed Chief Munyingi of Mweiga to deliver 10 young Dorper sheep for consumption by the President and his guests.

I then travelled to Nairobi, where I spent the night of July 29 as I waited to escort the President to Nyeri the following morning. My sleep was disturbed. I could not remove the coup talk from my mind, so I prayed for peace to prevail in our beautiful country. On the morning of July 30, I went to State House and had breakfast with the President. We had a hearty meal. Just before we departed for Nyeri, President Moi called me aside. He informed me that he would not spend the night at Sagana State Lodge.