Emperor Haile Selassie's gift that did not impress the Late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta

The late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Emperor Haile Selassie [Photo: Courtesy]

Kenya's first president, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, was known for his no-nonsense attitude and it showed on several occasions. At one time during the 1964 Jamhuri Day celebrations, Mzee Kenyatta invited Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie due to their close friendship.

Upon his arrival, Haile Selassie gifted Kenyatta a white pet dog. Unknown to him, Kenyatta hated pets and was somewhat annoyed by Selassie's gift. Apparently, Mzee Kenyatta would have preferred a cow, biographer Jeremy Murray-Brown narrates in his 1972 book titled; Kenyatta.