Raila led '82 Coup Attempt Underrated by Media

[Garliv]

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Inevitably I expect to be labelled a Raila hater or even a Luo hater but i have noticed while Moi's excesses have been covered by media plus his "goodness.." there is one MAJOR ISSUE that has been understated so much and it's an issue which actually may have been turning point in Moi's Presidential Legacy.

That is 1982 Coup Attempt. Famous personality involved in that Coup was Raila. Stories abound how Jaramogi sent emissary to convince Moi not to execute Raila as he had others. Before the Coup Attempt no one can claim or claimed Moi was harsh or dictatorial. He was busy visiting all over the country and popularising his Nyayo Philosophy. And some Mnyonyoko wa Udongo Initiative. But after the Coup Attempt, Moi became paranoid. He surrounded himself with those he could trust. He energised security services to crack down on any and all dissenting voices. He terror reign started then and would last roughly 9 yrs before easing into multipartism.

So as the country prepares to Bury him this event of 82 seems to be swept under the carpet. It's as if Moi was born and has been brutal throughout.
Where's Raila to say something on it?

[Arcadian_Dreamer]

You are being selective here. As Luos were plotting to unseat Moi, Kikuyus were in the process of cooking up their plot, simultaneously. Moi got wind of both and become ruthless. Ochuka/Raila camp rushed to beat the Kikuyu coup if you read history.

[RV Pundit]

But what came first...Moi in early 1982 passed the law that effectively made Kenya a legal one-party state...leaving those outside KANU like Jaramogi & Odinga son basically out of option. At least Raila claim that was what broke the camel back. Kenyatta had effectively banned KPU (Kenya People Union) in 1970s and Kenya had been a de-facto one-party state. So that also make Raila claim lame.

What is not in doubt was that Moi set out to be a very good and popular president. He began by releasing all political prisoners... likes of Anyona, Jaramogi and Koigi who had been locked by the Kenyatta regime. He even gave Jaramogi a job..straight from home arrest. Moi was very popular in most of Kenya because finally the insular Kikuyu regime was out and Moi had while as VP been visiting the country and holding harambees all over...here was someone who cared about the nation Kenya.

The trouble started for Moi mainly due to global economic crisis - oil crisis of early 1980s - basically brought the economy down. Kikuyus started murmuring that the unschooled Moi was bringing the economy down - Kenyatta had managed to grow the economy consistently at 6-7% or about - and now because mainly oil prices had shot through the roof - the economy was barely doing 4%.Moi gov also had to institutes austerity measures that became unpopular...and I think by 1982...the signs were not good...Kenya was to head to elections in 1983/84..5yrs since Moi had been confirmed as president-elect (un-opposed)...and  Moi was increasingly getting concerned.

Bottom line as long as Moi came from a small tribe - he had no option except crush the opposition (popular support in Africa means tribal support).

[Garliv]

 In a way i agree. Partially. Because Kikuyus then didn't give Moi much confidence. Yes. There is records that some were planning a a coup but once Raila's Coup Attempt became a reality beyond conspiratorial schemes then Moi got justification to be brutal and protect himself. From there on there was no stopping him.

Truly he followed Jomo's Nyayo who had de facto banned other parties. Maybe Jomo felt confidence enough that he didn't have to enact a law for it but Moi had no such luxury.

While I appreciate Moi Legacy is complex 82 Coup Attempt unleashed the deadly Moi. Without 82 Coup maybe his Presidency would have turned out very differently.

But what came first...Moi in early 1982 passed the law that effectively made Kenya a legal one-party state...leaving those outside KANU like Jaramogi & Odinga son basically out of option. At least Raila claim that was what broke the camel back. Kenyatta had effectively banned KPU (Kenya People Union) in 1970s and Kenya had been a de-facto one-party state. So that also make Raila claim lame.

What is not in doubt was that Moi set out to be a very good and popular president. He began by releasing all political prisoners... likes of Anyona, Jaramogi and Koigi who had been locked by the Kenyatta regime. He even gave Jaramogi a job..straight from home arrest. Moi was very popular in most of Kenya because finally the insular Kikuyu regime was out and Moi had while as VP been visiting the country and holding harambees all over...here was someone who cared about the nation Kenya.

The trouble started for Moi mainly due to global economic crisis - oil crisis of early 1980s - basically brought the economy down. Kikuyus started murmuring that the unschooled Moi was bringing the economy down - Kenyatta had managed to grow the economy consistently at 6-7% or about - and now because mainly oil prices had shot through the roof - the economy was barely doing 4%.Moi gov also had to institutes austerity measures that became unpopular...and I think by 1982...the signs were not good...Kenya was to head to elections in 1983/84..5yrs since Moi had been confirmed as president-elect (un-opposed)...and  Moi was increasingly getting concerned.

Bottom line as long as Moi came from a small tribe - he had no option except crush the opposition (popular support in Africa means tribal support).

[Garliv]

I have heard of this Kikuyu plot. Njonjo Inquiry dealt with it. But i take Njonjo inquiry as a way for Moi to be rid of a powerful power broker and set example. But is there any confirmation of it? What's not in dispute Ochuka/Raila attempt took place.

Actually there were numerous and countless rumours of coup and plotters after that. No one knew real one and one manufactured by Special Branch goons.

You are being selective here. As Luos were plotting to unseat Moi, Kikuyus were in the process of cooking up their plot, simultaneously. Moi got wind of both and become ruthless. Ochuka/Raila camp rushed to beat the Kikuyu coup if you read history.

[KenyanPlato]

There were three coups

Njonjo Coup - He had mercernaries sourced and equipment ready in Laikipia .. Boers were his planners

Airforce - Coup

Army and GEMA coup

Njonjo coup was to happen in September

So airforce moved their plans to counter him

Political leaders ie Jaramogi and Raila were informed by their intelligence informers

SO they were waiting to see if they could gain

Airforce was not ready and the army crashed them with 12 hours

[KenyanPlato]

There were three coups

Njonjo Coup - He had mercernaries sourced and equipment ready in Laikipia .. Boers were his planners

Airforce - Coup

Army and GEMA coup

Njonjo coup was to happen in September

So airforce moved their plans to counter him

Political leaders ie Jaramogi and Raila were informed by their intelligence informers

SO they were waiting to see if they could gain

Airforce was not ready and the army crushed them within 12 hours

[Garliv]

Before 82 Moi had somehow convinced himself intellectuals were the problem. He was harassing Lecturers and Student leaders. He made Kenya a de jure one party state after Jaramogi made his speech about Multipartism in Africa while he was in the UK. Moi interpreted that Jaramogi was about to form political party. Hence Section 2A.
But once the Coup happened it was like a God-given opportunity to restructure whole government into his image. It was the best piece of luck he could ever hope for..

This Njonjo Coup plans if you have some independent sources/confirmation would appreciate.

There were three coups

Njonjo Coup - He had mercernaries sourced and equipment ready in Laikipia .. Boers were his planners

Airforce - Coup

Army and GEMA coup

Njonjo coup was to happen in September

So airforce moved their plans to counter him

Political leaders ie Jaramogi and Raila were informed by their intelligence informers

SO they were waiting to see if they could gain

Airforce was not ready and the army crashed them with 12 hours

[RV Pundit]

I think university students and lecturers refused the austerity measures that the ministry of education (Kamotho) was forced to implement by world bank/IMF - not necessarily Moi. That became the first resistance to Moi gov.

Interesting take on Jaramgoi speech - I was wondering why Moi had to change the law.

Generally, the early 80s was tough - because of global hyperinflation - that spread discontent all over including the army and Moi like most Africa regimes were sitting ducks. Ochuka had the airforce for taking - because the servicemen were genuinely unhappy. They were of course unaware of Raila and Jaramogi plan.

I think Jaramogi -Raila haven't stopped trying to take power - they have been very unlucky not to get it.

Before 82 Moi had somehow convinced himself intellectuals were the problem. He was harassing Lecturers and Student leaders. He made Kenya a de jure one party state after Jaramogi made his speech about Multipartism in Africa while he was in the UK. Moi interpreted that Jaramogi was about to form political party. Hence Section 2A.
But once the Coup happened it was like a God-given opportunity to restructure whole government into his image. It was the best piece of luck he could ever hope for..

[KenyanPlato]

Before 82 Moi had somehow convinced himself intellectuals were the problem. He was harassing Lecturers and Student leaders. He made Kenya a de jure one party state after Jaramogi made his speech about Multipartism in Africa while he was in the UK. Moi interpreted that Jaramogi was about to form political party. Hence Section 2A.
But once the Coup happened it was like a God-given opportunity to restructure whole government into his image. It was the best piece of luck he could ever hope for..

This Njonjo Coup plans if you have some independent sources/confirmation would appreciate.

There were three coups

Njonjo Coup - He had mercernaries sourced and equipment ready in Laikipia .. Boers were his planners

Airforce - Coup

Army and GEMA coup

Njonjo coup was to happen in September

So airforce moved their plans to counter him

Political leaders ie Jaramogi and Raila were informed by their intelligence informers

SO they were waiting to see if they could gain

Airforce was not ready and the army crashed them with 12 hours

Check govt inquiry in 1983.. It was open secret among the people in the know that time .. they were scared stiff that Njonjo would crack down on them. Njonjo hated GEMA mafia. He saw them as unruly bullies that needed to be jailed. He used to order Kenya to arrest them for tax evasion and harrass them.

So akina Karume were scared stiff

[Garliv]

I wish Moi would have authored his biography. To reveal all and how he made some of the decisions he made. This guy took power when Kenyatta Deep State (Mafia) just hated him. They belittled him. Then there were agitators and opposition like Jaramogi. And those had a huge section of the population behind them or potentially they could get their tribesmen behind them.
Then there were global factors such as cold war. US/UK machinations as they infiltrated and influenced Jomo Kenyatta. Protection of their business and political interests.

I view Jaramogi as principled opposition. He was fighting for changes he believed in but there was how far he could go. He couldn't go as far as organise revolution or seek a coup. But Raila is different. I think Raila can get into any scheme to get power. I judge him as someone who schemes and schemes and has no boundaries he can't cross.

I think university students and lecturers refused the austerity measures that the ministry of education (Kamotho) was forced to implement by world bank/IMF - not necessarily Moi. That became the first resistance to Moi gov.

Interesting take on Jaramgoi speech - I was wondering why Moi had to change the law.

Generally, the early 80s was tough - because of global hyperinflation - that spread discontent all over including the army and Moi like most Africa regimes were sitting ducks. Ochuka had the airforce for taking - because the servicemen were genuinely unhappy. They were of course unaware of Raila and Jaramogi plan.

I think Jaramogi -Raila haven't stopped trying to take power - they have been very unlucky not to get it.

[RV Pundit]

Jaramogi was worse - he plotted several coups including 1982 one.He really wanted power - that is why he was pleading for a six minute of power in 90s.

To the American intelligence, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, was a power-hungry politician who was working behind the back of the country’s founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, to gain power and there was a real possibility that he could have toppled Kenyatta, possibly in a coup.

CIA had him covered -To the American intelligence, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, was a power-hungry politician who was working behind the back of the country’s founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, to gain power and there was a real possibility that he could have toppled Kenyatta, possibly in a coup.

I wish Moi would have authored his biography. To reveal all and how he made some of the decisions he made. This guy took power when Kenyatta Deep State (Mafia) just hated him. They belittled him. Then there were agitators and opposition like Jaramogi. And those had a huge section of the population behind them or potentially they could get their tribesmen behind them.
Then there were global factors such as cold war. US/UK machinations as they infiltrated and influenced Jomo Kenyatta. Protection of their business and political interests.

I view Jaramogi as principled opposition. He was fighting for changes he believed in but there was how far he could go. He couldn't go as far as organise revolution or seek a coup. But Raila is different. I think Raila can get into any scheme to get power. I judge him as someone who schemes and schemes and has no boundaries he can't cross.

I think university students and lecturers refused the austerity measures that the ministry of education (Kamotho) was forced to implement by world bank/IMF - not necessarily Moi. That became the first resistance to Moi gov.

Interesting take on Jaramgoi speech - I was wondering why Moi had to change the law.

Generally, the early 80s was tough - because of global hyperinflation - that spread discontent all over including the army and Moi like most Africa regimes were sitting ducks. Ochuka had the airforce for taking - because the servicemen were genuinely unhappy. They were of course unaware of Raila and Jaramogi plan.

I think Jaramogi -Raila haven't stopped trying to take power - they have been very unlucky not to get it.

[Kadudu]

It shows your little knowledge of history.
Anyone who did not sing the American song in the 50's till 70's was under CIA radar. Only the American puppets like Jomo Kenyatta were left out and nationalists like Julius Nyerere were left out. Today one can see the results of Jomo's betrayal to his people with the ethnic thinking of most bloggers here very intrenched in their DNA.

Jaramogi was worse - he plotted several coups including 1982 one.He really wanted power - that is why he was pleading for a six minute of power in 90s.

To the American intelligence, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, was a power-hungry politician who was working behind the back of the country’s founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, to gain power and there was a real possibility that he could have toppled Kenyatta, possibly in a coup.

[RV Pundit]

So CIA made Jaramogi stage or attempt all those coups? Including 1982 where he was aware. You know Jaramogi spent a lot of time in prison (house arrest) because he was like Raila now - a community leader - but he attempted with help of Russians, Cubans and Chinese to overthrow kenya gov severally.

It shows your little knowledge of history.
Anyone who did not sing the American song in the 50's till 70's was under CIA radar. Only the American puppets like Jomo Kenyatta were left out and nationalists like Julius Nyerere were left out. Today one can see the results of Jomo's betrayal to his people with the ethnic thinking of most bloggers here very intrenched in their DNA.

[Kadudu]

There was no attempted coup by Jaramogi. No proof of those arms. Jomo let a lot of propaganda against his perceived political enemies. Can you explain how before Tom Mboya's assasination he was being denounced in the corridors of power as being a CIA spy?
It was just convenient for the regime to potrait its opponents the way it wanted.
Read even the history of Republic of Congo with the knowledge available today. Patrice Lumumba was perceived to be a communist although he never had any formal contacts with the Soviet regime. His only crime was to try advocate policies that were patriotic to his people and not those of colonial masters.

So CIA made Jaramogi stage or attempt all those coups? Including 1982 where he was aware. You know Jaramogi spent a lot of time in prison (house arrest) because he was like Raila now - a community leader - but he attempted with help of Russians, Cubans and Chinese to overthrow kenya gov severally.

[Garliv]

Jaramogi believed in some policies which at the time were toxic. More like Socialist. And that in itself was a grave sin to the Americans and Brits as they engaged in mortal kombat with USSR and Socialist/Communism ideology. And given Jaramogi's tendency to not hold back his opinion he was considered dangerous.
To be honest I think CIA manufactured a lot of propaganda to get rid of him and therefore most of what he was accused of was designed to achieve that end. I also believe IF truly some tangible evidence had been found to link Jaramogi to such plots, Kenyatta or CIA would have had killed. No doubt.

For '82 Coup, I read some participant was quoted as stating that Jaramogi had warned his son Raila not to get involved in such. How far he himself eventually got involved am not sure.
Kenyatta had his own political motives to demonize Jaramogi as the latter was vocal and critical of Jomo's thieving at a time when no one asked any question.
Also Raila had disputes l, for example, with his father on running of Ford-K as Jaramogi was not considered brave or radical enough.

So CIA made Jaramogi stage or attempt all those coups? Including 1982 where he was aware. You know Jaramogi spent a lot of time in prison (house arrest) because he was like Raila now - a community leader - but he attempted with help of Russians, Cubans and Chinese to overthrow kenya gov severally.

It shows your little knowledge of history.
Anyone who did not sing the American song in the 50's till 70's was under CIA radar. Only the American puppets like Jomo Kenyatta were left out and nationalists like Julius Nyerere were left out. Today one can see the results of Jomo's betrayal to his people with the ethnic thinking of most bloggers here very intrenched in their DNA.

[Garliv]

Tom Mboya murder was so needless. He wasn't a threat. He was popular. Articulate. Hard to even try and understand why it had to be.

There was no attempted coup by Jaramogi. No proof of those arms. Jomo let a lot of propaganda against his perceived political enemies. Can you explain how before Tom Mboya's assasination he was being denounced in the corridors of power as being a CIA spy?
It was just convenient for the regime to potrait its opponents the way it wanted.
Read even the history of Republic of Congo with the knowledge available today. Patrice Lumumba was perceived to be a communist although he never had any formal contacts with the Soviet regime. His only crime was to try advocate policies that were patriotic to his people and not those of colonial masters.

So CIA made Jaramogi stage or attempt all those coups? Including 1982 where he was aware. You know Jaramogi spent a lot of time in prison (house arrest) because he was like Raila now - a community leader - but he attempted with help of Russians, Cubans and Chinese to overthrow kenya gov severally.

[Kichwa]

OMG! it is dot.com all over again-Raila this, Raila that all day long.  I thought Raila was Kwisha.

[Nefertiti]

Add 'brilliant' and you have your answer. There is a reason a bimbo like Mdvd or Kalonzo lives a long peaceful life.

Tom Mboya murder was so needless. He wasn't a threat. He was popular. Articulate. Hard to even try and understand why it had to be.

There was no attempted coup by Jaramogi. No proof of those arms. Jomo let a lot of propaganda against his perceived political enemies. Can you explain how before Tom Mboya's assasination he was being denounced in the corridors of power as being a CIA spy?
It was just convenient for the regime to potrait its opponents the way it wanted.
Read even the history of Republic of Congo with the knowledge available today. Patrice Lumumba was perceived to be a communist although he never had any formal contacts with the Soviet regime. His only crime was to try advocate policies that were patriotic to his people and not those of colonial masters.

So CIA made Jaramogi stage or attempt all those coups? Including 1982 where he was aware. You know Jaramogi spent a lot of time in prison (house arrest) because he was like Raila now - a community leader - but he attempted with help of Russians, Cubans and Chinese to overthrow kenya gov severally.

[RV Pundit]

Jaramogi was aware..infact the big debate was who btw Ochuka and Jaramogi would take over.

Jaramogi believed in some policies which at the time were toxic. More like Socialist. And that in itself was a grave sin to the Americans and Brits as they engaged in mortal kombat with USSR and Socialist/Communism ideology. And given Jaramogi's tendency to not hold back his opinion he was considered dangerous.
To be honest I think CIA manufactured a lot of propaganda to get rid of him and therefore most of what he was accused of was designed to achieve that end. I also believe IF truly some tangible evidence had been found to link Jaramogi to such plots, Kenyatta or CIA would have had killed. No doubt.

For '82 Coup, I read some participant was quoted as stating that Jaramogi had warned his son Raila not to get involved in such. How far he himself eventually got involved am not sure.
Kenyatta had his own political motives to demonize Jaramogi as the latter was vocal and critical of Jomo's thieving at a time when no one asked any question.
Also Raila had disputes l, for example, with his father on running of Ford-K as Jaramogi was not considered brave or radical enough.

So CIA made Jaramogi stage or attempt all those coups? Including 1982 where he was aware. You know Jaramogi spent a lot of time in prison (house arrest) because he was like Raila now - a community leader - but he attempted with help of Russians, Cubans and Chinese to overthrow kenya gov severally.

It shows your little knowledge of history.
Anyone who did not sing the American song in the 50's till 70's was under CIA radar. Only the American puppets like Jomo Kenyatta were left out and nationalists like Julius Nyerere were left out. Today one can see the results of Jomo's betrayal to his people with the ethnic thinking of most bloggers here very intrenched in their DNA.