When Kenya gifted Russian leader a Mau Mau gun

Field Marshall Baimungi M'Marete (left) and other Mau Mau freedom fighters surrender their firearms. Looking on are ministers Jackson Angaine and Mbiyu Koinange at Kinoru stadium in Meru 1963. [File, Standard]

A year after Kenya got her independence, it was time to look for allies, both within the Western and Eastern blocks. Favouring neither side at the time, the government of Jomo Kenyatta would look for aid from the two key protagonists, America and Russia.

It was against this background that the government sent a delegation in May 1964 to both Russia and China. It was led by Vice President Oginga Odinga and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Murumbi.