Nostalgic memories of retired presidential guard who protected the Kenyattas

Retired Constable Nelson Kiprotich during an interview with the Standard at his home in Kabarak on March 16, 2022. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

Family members of senior politicians, especially their children, are often faced with limited freedom to freely interact with the community they live in for security concerns.

As a child of a sitting president, it is even harder to casually walk in and out of the State House and other private residences without following the fairly restraining security protocols.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was not an exception in the face of this challenge as a youth but on several occasions, he took the risk and managed to secretly sneak out though for a limited time.

This happened with the help of one of his father’s guards Constable Nelson Kiprotich, now retired.

A young Uhuru Kenyatta, Jonathan Moi, the late Mama Lucy Kibaki, Mama Ngina Kenyatta during the country's second President Daniel arap Moi's installation as Commander-in-Chief. [File, Standard] 

Mr Kiprotich joined the General Service Unit (GSU) in 1969 and was attached to the B-Company based in Embakasi.

“We formed the late former President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s Presidential Guard. I had various postings including Statehouse in Nairobi and Nakuru and his Ichaweri home,” said Kiprotich.

According to his national ID card, Kiprotich, now 73 years old, was born in 1949 in Eldama Ravine, Baringo though he claims that his actual year of birth was altered from 1945.

“I was an athlete in primary school. I caught the attention of senior GSU officers who facilitated my recruitment. Mzee Kenyatta was also a personal friend to my late grandfather,” said Kiprotich.

CLOSE TIES

Being picked to serve as a presidential guard to Mzee Kenyatta brought the two families even closer though Kiprotich’s interaction with the former president remained official and professional.

A file picture of retired Constable Nelson Kiprotich. He joined the General Service Unit in 1969. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

He explained that he was free with the rest of his family, especially Uhuru who used to request him to allow him out on his own for a short walk.

“I understood the risk that would come with letting him out on his own. Most of the time we interacted at the Caledonia Gate of Mama Ngina’s residence. He always kept his word and returned back within the agreed half an hour,” he added.

Kenya's first President Jomo Kenyatta, Mama Ngina Kenyatta and their children. [File, Standard]

Though he can’t recall the exact year and date, Kiprotich explained that one of his momentous experiences as a presidential guard was when former Ugandan President Idi Amin visited Nairobi.

“We had instructions to briefly stop him at the entrance and announce his arrival. We started to chitchat which made us forget the instructions. Amin and his escort arrived and only recalled the instructions as he was being driven towards the State House,” recalled Kiprotich.

He revealed that a corporal who was in charge of the gate was moved back to Embakasi while he and his colleagues were only given a warning.

He described the night of August 22, 1978, when Jomo Kenyatta died as the most heartbreaking moment of his career as he was among the first people who learnt about the death.

“I was in an office where the then Vice President Daniel Moi, who was at his Kabarak farm was linked with Mombasa Provincial Commissioner in a phone call relaying the bad news."

He added; "We had to suppress our emotions from the rest until the news was officially broken at 1 pm the following day.” 

Kiprotich continued to serve as a presidential guard until 1981 when he took a gratuity retirement to take care of his ageing parents having served the country for 12 years.

He explained that on the day he left service, he briefly interacted with Uhuru, an opportunity that presented itself again 32 years later.

REUNION WISH

“Uhuru came to Eldama Ravine campaigning for the presidency in 2013. I approached him and he immediately recognized me. He instructed a local politician to help me secure an appointment with him after campaigns but this has not materialized to date,” said Kiprotich.

According to him, the politician fell out with Uhuru and has been taking him in circles when he reminds him of the President’s approved appointment.

“Age is catching up with me and it is my great wish to meet Uhuru before he leaves office. It was my great joy to see him, a youth I protected, become the President of this country,” he said.

The Kenyatta family during the seventh birthday of Uhuru Kenyatta at State House. [File, Standard]

As an ex-GSU officer, his high levels of discipline and strong Christian values saw him join a local church where he was appointed a preacher and is today known as Reverend Nelson.

“I have been a pastor at New Life Christian Church in my village since my retirement from the police service. With my advanced age, I am gradually being relieved of my duties,” said Kiprotich.

During his free time, Kiprotich spends time on his farms in Eldama Ravine and Kabarak taking care of his crops and rabbits.

He challenged youth in the police service to maintain high levels of discipline and live within their means.

“Struggle for quick riches is the greatest undoing for the current youth. There can never be a challenge too big for you if you are in a job that you really wanted,” said Kiprotich.

He further called on them to perform their roles with dedication, noting that security breaches witnessed on several occasions could not be seen during their time in service.