Secrets of guarding former President Moi during turbulent era

By Vincent Bartoo

Snapshots of secrets surrounding former President Daniel arap Moi’s security popped up when the country buried the man who was charged with the safety of the nation’s second President.

The burial of Mr Moi’s first and long serving escort commander Elijah Sumbeiywo evoked bitter memories of the 1982 coup attempt that changed the country’s political landscape and gave an insight into just what it takes to guard a head of State. Close aides to the retired President spoke of worrying security situations during Moi’s reign and how Sumbeiywo scuttled them.

He took over the newly created position in 1978, a time certain politicians were grumbling over the Kenyatta succession and he was tasked with the responsibility of assembling Moi’s security team.

Moi took over power following the death of founding President, Mzee Jomo on August 22, 1978 Kenyatta.

Sumbeiywo who died of cancer, was among the first Kenyans to be trained by the Israeli Intelligence Agency, Mossad.

His funeral at his Kaptuli farm in Eldoret East was attended by the who was who in former President Moi’s government led by the former head of state himself.

It was at the funeral that Sumbeiywo’s former colleagues recounted how the former top cop lived in daily paranoia as did other top Government officials over Moi’s safety.

This was caused by a worrying trend where personal bodyguards had started assassinating presidents around the world. The 1982 attempted coup in Kenya did not make the situation any better.

Moi’s private press secretary, Lee Njiru, recounted how Sumbeiywo lived in what he described as “terrible paranoia”. Mr Njiru said he worked closely with Sumbeiywo for 10 years as they rode in the same car in Moi’s convoy.

“He came and told me he did not want many cars in Mzee’s convoy so we had to share his. I duly agreed,” he said.

Guard of honour

Mr Njiru said Sumbeiywo always worried about Moi’s safety and would create different possible risk scenarios in which he asked for Mr Njiru’s opinion on how to avert them.

He added that the paranoia became worse after the 1982 attempted coup when Sumbeiywo is credited with safeguarding Moi alongside his brother, Retired Lt General Lazarus Sumbeiywo.

“I remember this day when we heard of the assassination of Egypt’s President Anwar El Sadat at a military parade,” said Mr Njiru.

He said President Moi was then returning to the country from a foreign trip and what awaited them at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was a guard of honour mounted by the military.

“He was very tense about it. ‘What if the soldiers at the guard of honour had ideas.’ Elijah was so disturbed, he almost called for the cancellation of the parade,” said Mr Njiru. However, security around the President had been beefed up and the guard of honour to welcome him back to the country went on smoothly.

Mr Njiru also added that during Sumbeiywo tenure, Moi’s bodyguards were kept on a tight leash, lest they were used by enemies of the Moi Government.

“It was happening rapidly in Africa and around the world and bodyguards were turning on their masters. We were all worried for Mzee’s safety and nothing was being left to chance,” he added.

On a light note, Mr Njiru revealed that it was very difficult guarding President Moi due to his courage.

“You know it is very easy to guard a coward because if you tell him to duck, he will do so without asking a question,” he said.

Meet the people tour

Mr Njiru recalled countless times when President Moi would announce he was leaving the highly guarded State House on abrupt meet the people tours, creating a nightmare for his security detail.

“You would be working then suddenly you are informed that  Mzee is going to Gikomba to meet wananchi. It was always happened on the spur of a moment and Sumbeiywo and others had no choice but to act fast and come up with a quick security plan,” he added.

Former head of intelligence in Moi’s Government, Brigadier Wilson Boinett, concurred with Njiru and recounted how when flying back to Kenya from a trip to Austria, their plane almost crash landed.

“It was an emergency and all of us ducked, holding our hands under our seats but to our surprise, the President was standing trying to establish what was wrong. He was not shaken at all,” he said.

Brig (Rtd) Boinett said they were embarrassed and at the same time scared that they had abandoned the man whose security they were supposed to safeguard at all times.

“We all ran towards Mzee, fear written all over our faces. Sumbeiywo thought we would lose our jobs. We should have been shielding Mzee incase anything happened,” he added.

When the plane stabilized, Brig Boinett added, Mr Moi remained standing and it took Sumbeiywo’s pleading for him to return to his seat.

“I remember Sumbeiywo telling him: ‘On behalf of the people of Kenya and in the name of God, Your Excellency, please take your seat.’ When Mzee heard God’s name invoked, he agreed to take his seat,” added Brig Boinett amid laughter.

Mr Njiru however said despite the risks of guarding Moi, his bodyguards did their job with a lot of zeal. “When guarding Moi, the bodyguards were not only guarding a President but a father as well,” he said.

Mr Njiru recalled how Mr Moi would get involved in the lives of all those working around him and would step in to assist any of his staff who was facing challenges.

“He would pick out all his staff, establish whether all was well back home, sort a problem and even follow up. He cared a lot for the welfare of all those who worked around him,” he said.

Mr Njiru said this made the presidential staff feel a strong sense of belonging and did all they could to make President Moi’s working environment the best.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka described Sumbeiywo and others who worked for President Moi as gallant public servants.

Mr Kalonzo commended Sumbeiywo and his brother Lazarus saying both would go down history books for stabilising the country by guarding Moi during the 1982 attempted coup.

“If it were not for him and General Sumbeiywo, we do not know what would have befallen Kenya should the worst have happened,” said the VP.

Mr Kalonzo further suggested that historical events that occurred under President Moi should be documented for posterity.

He asked Mr Njiru to spearhead the initiative of penning a book about them saying he would contribute a chapter to it.

When he rose to speak, the former president did not delve on the revelations made by his former aides although as they spoke, he occasionally smiled.

Eulogised Sumbeiyo

Mr Moi described Sumbeiywo as a thorough public servant and recalled his diligence while serving him. “He was a person who did not do things half heartedly. When he had a job to do, he would do it thoroughly,” he noted.

Sumbeiywo started his career in the police force in 1961 as a constable, rising through the ranks to Assistant Inspector in 1966. He later went to Kiganjo Police Training College in 1972 for a Superintendent course and after graduation, was picked to become presidential escort commander.

Duncan Wachira a former Commissioner of Police said Sumbeiywo who quelled chaos in Nakuru during the attempted 1982 coup was respected officer.

“As a Divisional Commander in Nakuru during the attempted coup, I was off duty and Sumbeiywo called me saying there was unrest, but by the time I got there the following day, he had contained the situation,” Mr Wachira stated.