How some chiefs morphed into powerful politicians

Then Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamwithi Munyi delivering a speech during the 36th UN day at the KICC, October 1995. [File, Standard]

There was a time chief could dare dream of becoming senior government officers away from the drinking dens where they spent most of their time battling with chan'gaa brewers and village scoundrels.

Such was the time that a chief could aspire to become a District Commissioner who presided over the entire district security committee, chaired the development board and was influential on how land was allocated in their areas of jurisdiction.