We unknowingly bought Moi’s car and got more than we bargained for

By Nairobian Reporter | 6yrs ago | 4 min read

Ismael Kaaya Lukio unknowingly bought Former President Daniel Arap Moi’s car The Land Rover KGT 200 was still in the country’s top man’s name For more than three years the family had made efforts to reach the President

Naomi Lukio was tending to her farm one early morning in 1984 at the sleepy Losogwa village near Nyahururu town, when a Government vehicle pulled into her compound.

Government officials present asked her to accompany them to the local District Commissioner’s (DC’s) office and Naomi quickly spruced herself up for the short trip to Nyahururu town.

Accompanied by her son Moses, she was informed upon arrival at the DC’s office that they would be going to Kabarak to meet President Daniel Arap Moi.

It was a decisive moment in her attempt to have an old Land Rover, purchased by her husband Ismael Kaaya Lukio, transferred to the family.

For more than three years the family had made efforts to reach the President as the documents for Land Rover KGT 200 was still in the country’s top man’s name.

Frustrated at being taken in circles by the provincial administration, Naomi was almost giving up on the transfer issue when the pleasant surprise came.

She does not know how the information reached the former President, who then directed that she be taken to Kabarak to meet him over the issue.

“As we pulled into Kabarak I was in shock and awe and upon arrival we were ushered to meet the former President who was in a jovial mood and we had a hearty chat,” she says.

Moi asked her: “Funguo nitapatia nani?” (who will I hand over the keys to?). She was amazed. But when she regained her composure she mentioned her son who was immediately called into the room.

It was at this point the President handed over keys to a brand new Datsun 1200 KUP 957 to her son in exchange for the rickety Land Rover.

“The vehicle was sparkling and had been fueled to full tank with comprehensive insurance policy, and I was very excited,” she added.

The antique Land Rover is still among a collection of old vehicles still donning the former President’s garage in Kabarak.

For the Lukio family, it remains their link with the man who became the country’s longest serving President.

Tired of the rough terrain and poor roads in his area, Naomi’s husband Lukio had approached his employer, an Asian businessman to assist him acquire a Land Rover.

“It was the only vehicle that could withstand the usually wet conditions which prevail in this area, and acquiring it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream,”the 86 year-old man recalls.

Lukio’s boss, a Mr Dachu, was based in Ol Kalou and was both a petroleum and a motor vehicle dealer. According to him, the Asian businessman had bought the vehicle from one of campaigners of Moi in the 1970s when he was still Vice President. “The cost of maintaining the vehicle was high and the campaigner decided to get rid of it and sold it to my boss,” he recalled.

The Land Rover was going for Sh7,000 (a lot of money at the time) but Lukio got it for half the price in 1971 owing to his cordial relationship with his employer.

Owning a vehicle then, leave alone the highly valued British-made Land Rover, was not a mean achievement, and Lukio was elated.

But upon returning home with his prized possession, Lukio realised the vehicle’s logbook was in the former President’s name.

He was surprised but after talking to his employer and government officers he was informed he could continue using the vehicle as he made efforts to change the documents.

But after using it for a few years he was informed he could no longer continue using the old logbook, as there was no more space left for stamping.

“The officers told me not to go to their office with that old logbook again and I knew that I was in trouble as the vehicle would be grounded,” he added.

It would mark the beginning of a torturous cat and mouse game between the family and senior government officials and politicians as they sought to meet the former President for the transfer.

Naomi, who knew several prominent people in Nyandarua and Laikipia from her days in the freedom struggle, decided to seek their assistance in meeting Moi.

“We first sought the assistance of James Kariuki who took over as the