Recalling the aftermath of the 1982 coup attempt

 By @wess_kipp

Pictures: The Standard Archives/Jesse Kamwaro

Leonard Mambo Mbotela in a cold morning was picked by the officers from his house at Government Quarters in Ngara and was taken to Voice of Kenya (now KBC) studios long Harry Thuku road.

At gunpoint, he was ordered to read a script that declared that Moi’s government had been overthrown.

Well, for a baby born on that morning of the 1st day of August, it will be exactly 35 years since its shriveling cries pierced the air of a country that was facing a coup attempt.

35 years since Kenya Army officers attempted a coup against President Daniel Moi’s government.

While Kenyans were synonymous with Leonard Mambo Mbotela’s assuring baritone timbre on the Voice of Kenya, the situation would take a nasty dive.

Chants of “power, power” from university students soaked the air with revolt that Sunday morning.

What followed was chaos in Nairobi city as loyalists officers battled with pro-coup offices.

 The end result was tragic: Death of hundreds, shops in the city looted, women raped, hundreds arrested.

While the ‘madness’ lasted for only a few hours, the impact of the coup would last for over two decades.

Here are photos that paint a pictures of the scenario:

By wkoskei@standardmedia.co.ke

Pictures: The Standard Archives/Jesse Kamwaro