Samuel Ayodo, the first Kenyan Minister for Local Government was one of the few people who had the guts to confront the First President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
On 4th January 1962, Kenyatta convened a KANU executive meeting to discuss allegations by Ayodo that there was an underground spy and murder ring within the party which was planning to assassinate Tom Mboya.
Ayodo was then taken to task by Kenyatta to substantiate his allegations with undeniable facts but was unable to do so.
An annoyed Kenyatta reacted by proposing a vote of censure against him which was unanimously supported by all those present.
He then warned Ayodo that if he was unwilling to abide by the party rules, he would gladly receive his resignation letter.
However, as Kenyatta commenced to give a statement on the proceedings of the meeting to Journalists who were present, Adoyo interrupted him despite the warning.
Determined to force a showdown by taking the matter further, Adoyo stormed out of the meeting in a show of anger.
The act of insubordination by Ayodo infuriated Kenyatta and when he was questioned about it by journalists, he was not able to utter a word.
According to reports, the aim was to force a split in KANU by raising a big issue, but most members present were of the opinion that he presented his case in such a rude and inept manner that made it impossible for any member of the Executive Council to support him.
Reports further indicate that were it not for the need to maintain a facade of unity in view of the upcoming constitutional conference, Kenyatta would have expelled him from KANU.
