Man claiming to be Kibaki's first-born son comes forward, demands to be recognised and involved

Wikipedia retells the parable of the blind men and an elephant. Blind men who have never come across an elephant before each feel a different part of the elephant’s body, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk and then describe the elephant based on their limited experience. Not surprisingly, their descriptions of the elephant are different from each other.

Nothing best describes the person of Kenya’s third President, Emilio Mwai Kibaki, whom veteran journalist Mutuma Mathiu described as a “frighteningly unavailable person". A natural-born loner, content to sit alone with his thoughts and enjoy his beer, and for the company of others was quite likely forced on him by the demands of public life” better.

In the week following his death, versions of who the man really was varied, with many Kenyans nearly coming to blows on social media. Indeed, it is safe to say that the only person who knew and understood Mwai Kibaki best is Mwai, the man KDF laid to rest in Othaya in a state funeral. 

Aloof, private, that was Kibaki.

And now it appears he could have sired a child before he met First Lady, Lucy Kibaki. Remember that dark-suited man with Kibaki’s looks, gait and trademark bald head who strode across the street into Lee Funeral Home the day the retired president passed on? The media described him thus:  “Emotional Mwai Kibaki’s brother arrives at Lee Funeral Home to view the body of the late Mwai Kibaki…”

Turns out that man was not Kibaki’s brother but Jacob Ocholla Mwai, 62. And now, two weeks after his burial, Ocholla is demanding to be recognised as Kibaki’s biological son. He claims he is the product of a relationship between his mother, Jane Hilda Ocholla and the late president.

Through Khaminwa and Khaminwa Advocates, Ocholla claims he was barred from viewing his father’s body both at Lee Funeral Home and at Parliament buildings when his body lay in state for public viewing. Further, he claims, he was also not allowed to attend Kibaki’s burial on April 30, in Othaya, Nyeri County.

In a letter to Attorney General Kihara Kariuki dated April 23 by Khaminwa and Khaminwa Advocates, which The Nairobian has seen, Ocholla wanted the AG to help him pay his last respects to the late President and at the same time attend his burial in Othaya. That did not come to pass. The Attorney General received the letter on April 25, as per the documents in our possession.

“We act for Mr Jacob Mwai, the biological son of the late President Mwai Kibaki. He is 62 years old. His mother was the late lady Jane Hilda Ocholla. He has been refused access to the body of his late father. He attempted to do so on his way yesterday without success. The army officer in charge refused him entry,” the letter reads in part.

The letter further continues: “Our Dr Khaminwa accompanied him in the second attempt but again he was refused entry. The late president acknowledged Jacob Mwai as his biological son. As a matter of fact, when Mama Lucy died, he participated fully in the funeral rites.”

Khaminwa in his letter to the AG was seeking to have his client participate fully in the burial plans but their attempts were unsuccessful.

“The purpose of this letter is to urge you respectfully if you would assist him using your good offices. We have advised him against invoking assistance of the courts hence this letter,” Khaminwa told the AG.

When contacted, Dr John Khaminwa confirmed that the letters were authentic and that his client was indeed Kibaki’s first-born son.

“It’s true I wrote the letter to the Attorney General. Jacob Ocholla Mwai is Kibaki’s son now aged 62 years. He sired Jacob before his marriage,” said Dr Khaminwa.

Another letter that was sent to Jimmy Kibaki via G4S courier, also from Khaminwa and Khaminwa Advocates seeking his indulgence to have Ocholla attend the burial states as follows: “It was nice meeting you after paying my last respects to the President. As I advised you yesterday, I had immense respect for your father because of his firm commitment to serve Kenya and improve the lives of millions of Kenyans,” Khaminwa said in a letter to Jimmy Kibaki dated April 27.

The letter further reads: “There is however one matter I did not mention to you yesterday because of the prevailing circumstances. This matter concerns, ‘Jacob Ocholla Mwai’. Please permit him and his family, to participate in the funeral rites in accordance with our culture.”

Khaminwa’s letter also read: “Let us minimise conflicts as not to do so, the only beneficiaries would be the media and such an incident would cause adverse publicity to the image of your dad whom the country and the world holds in high esteem.”

Khaminwa advised Jimmy to remain united as a family and ensure they respect his father’s wishes. Peter Malaki, who taught Ocholla Metal Works and Technical Drawing at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) Eldoret between 1977-1978, says he told them that he was introduced to the President as his father when he was young.

“Ocholla told me that he enjoyed a cordial relationship with Mwai Kibaki and they could frequently visit each other, but when he became the President, his handlers kept him away,” Malaki told The Nairobian on phone.

He went on: “When you look at Jacob Mwai, he is a carbon copy of the late President. He was a hard-working student and very intelligent,” Malaki said.

If Ocholla turns out to be indeed the blood and bones of the man from Othaya, he joins a long list of offspring who only emerge from the sidelines after their biological fathers have departed this world.