Loathed and loved by many in equal measure

Whenever JJ Kamotho visted his rural home in Mathioya, one place he would not pass without making a stop at was Gikoe shopping centre.

It was at this centre where his long time friend, Mbagi wa Maina ran a shop. Maina, a retired police officer and Kamotho were like brothers and had a lot in common.

Kamotho also associated with musician Joseph Kamaru and the former paramount chief Naftali Ngeru.

But the man who probably knew, and understood Kamotho well was his long serving driver Stanley Kinyanjui who drove him around from early 1980s till the time he lost his parliamentary seat.

"As far as I can recall, Kamotho lived a simple life and loved traditional dishes like ugali, githeri, mukimo and uji," Kinyanjui says. "He was not a fan of European or Oriental food."

Kinyanjui said Kamotho rarely had his meals in hotels and preferred to have meals with his family at home.

"If there was any man who loved his family so dearly, it was my boss of many years Joseph Kamotho. He was very comfortable among his kith and kin even though he was a powerful figure."

Kinyanjui also remembers his former boss as a generous person who would rather give to the needy all he had than see them suffering.

"Soon after he became the Kanu secretary general in 1989, I remember him donating Sh 800,00 at a fundraiser in aid of Kabarnet Secondary School," says Kinyanjui.

"At that time, that was a huge amount of money very politicians could part with."

Kinyanjui also said Kamotho stuck with his friends and would never abandon them when they were in trouble and needed (his) help.

He remembers the case of the then Muranga district education officer Muthaiga Mwangi in 1992, when Kamotho lost to John Michuki.

"Due to Mwangi's closeness with and loyalty to Kamotho, he was unceremoniously, and without following the due process, transferred to Voi.

"He was not provided with a vehicle to transport his his belongings and no arrangements had been made for his accommodation in the new station so Kamotho ensured all that was done." 

Johnson Gakungu, who was Kamotho's personal assistant for 13 years remembers him as a down to earth person, and even though he held a powerful position during the one-party rule, he never ignored people and was always ready to listen to them.

"He held everyone in high esteem," Gakungu says, adding that whenever Kamotho was at his rural home in Mioro village, people would troop there and all of them would be treated equally.

"Kamotho would have tea or porridge with his visitors and he would attend to each of them personally, and sort out their individual needs," Gakungu says.

He also remembers Kamotho as person who loved sports, more so football and as a tea addict after he quit drinking alcohol.

"During his drinking days, Tusker Export used to be his favourite alcoholic beverage," says Gakungu.