The failed attempt by rogue elements in Kenya's Airforce to take over the government in 1982 did not catch President Daniel Moi unawares.
Former Central Provincial Commissioner David Musila who was with Moi just days before the coup narrated the events that transpired in his new book- Seasons of Hope.
On the morning of July 30, Musila arrived at State House, Nairobi where he had breakfast before departing to Nyeri to open the annual ASK show.
The rumours of the coup had been captured in the provincial security summaries but they had remained just that.
Just before departing, the president pulled Musila aside and told him that he would not spend the night at Sagana State Lodge as scheduled, but also advised him to proceed with preparations so as not to tip anybody off.
“You should allow all the arrangements for the presidential visit at Sagana State Lodge to continue as planned. But do not tell anyone about my change of plans,” Moi warned.
When they arrived at Ruring'u Stadium for the show, Musila was already tense as he joined Moi in the open Land Rover for a lap of honour.
"The President was composed but I was very jittery. Many terrifying images ran through my mind as I thought of the assassination
of John F Kennedy, President of the USA. I visualised a masked man opening fire on the Land Rover," Musila wrote.
Strangely, the ceremony of lowering the flag that is conducted at 6pm was conducted at 4pm on that particular day. The parade and Army band were quickly assembled and conducted the ceremony in a hurry.
Musila was supposed to escort the president to the border of Central and Rift valley the hand him over to the PC in charge.
However, since the change of plans was secret, the Rift PC had not been notified and Moi asked that Musila accompany him to Nakuru State House.
During dinner, Moi appeared agitated and repeatedly narrated the great achievements Kenya had witnessed during his short tenure.
“Now”, he lamented, “there are some elements planning to plunge the country into anarchy”. Musila listened quietly.
After dinner, he allowed the delegation to leave,
“Chungeni hii nchi (take good care of this country)!” Moi advised as he bid them goodbye.
The following day, July 31, the show back in Nyeri went on as planned.
"Throughout the day, however, I could not get rid of the dull feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach the previous day. The President’s mood also disturbed me. His insistence that we accompany him to Nakuru, his lamentations at dinner, his lecture
about the country and its achievements, and his parting words, ran through my mind relentlessly," Musila recounted.
The nightmare came to pass in the wee hours of August 1st when the ex-PC heard the famous Voice of Kenya broadcast by Leonard Mambo Mbotela, announcing to the nation that the Government had been overthrown. The attempted coup was repulsed by members of the superior Kenya Army just hours later.
