Joseph Murumbi: Vice President who quit after just six months

The Late Joseph Murumbi. (Courtesy)

Joseph Zuzarte Murumbi was a Kenyan politician who served as the second Vice President of the republic between May and December 1966. 

Prior to becoming Vice President, Murumbi had also served the country in various ministerial dockets. They include Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Education and Ministry of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Murumbi was born in 1911 to a half cast couple, an Indian father and a Kenyan Maasai mother, the daughter of Murumbi. Murumbi was a famous Maasai Laiboni who was also a popular political figure from the Uasin Gishu region.  His father came to the country in 1897 when the first railway line reached the region where Murumbi was born.

Joseph Murumbi was Kenya’s first foreign minister. While serving in this capacity, he strongly steered the formation of the new constitution. He was also quite instrumental in establishing new embassies, consulates and high commissions for the country during the independence period.

In an interesting turn of events, Murumbi opted to resign from the post of vice-president in 1966. This was after serving for only six months.

He attributed his decision to what he claimed to be the country’s wrong turn from addressing the plight of the poor, as well as the ideologies he had believed in. He is said to have told his old friends that he was no longer willing to being part of corruption, tribalism and other ills that were bedeviling the country at that time.

Nonetheless, Murumbi remains to be a model of what Kenya ought and should have been. He disdained prejudice and unfair practices of any form.

He was picked from near obscurity by President Jomo Kenyatta out of his talent as event organizer.  Besides, Murumbi strongly advocated for adoption and preservation of the African culture.  He also championed for the welfare and rights of African artists.

Murumbi died on June 22, 1990.