On Wednesday, February 23, all roads are heading to the Sagana State Lodge in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, where President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to make a grand political statement that will shape the country's politics ahead of the August 9, General election.
Previously a royal residence of the British monarchy, Sagana was considered among the gifts that Kenya had bestowed Queen Elizabeth following her wedding to Prince Charles. The Queen handed the lodge back to the Kenyan government in December 1963 when the country became independent.
Over the years, the cottage has witnessed power change hands and within its walls hide Kenya's deepest secrets. From the failed coup of 1982 to the current 2022 succession politics, Kenyans.co.ke has compiled some of the most notable events that have taken place at the official presidential residence.
1982: Moi Ditches Sagana Amid Coup
Kenya's second President, the late Daniel Arap Moi is said to have ditched the state residence in August 1982 after getting wind of plans by a section of the Kenya Air Force to topple his government
In his book, Seasons of Hope, the former Central Regional Commissioner David Musila, narrated how Moi made a last-minute cancellation of his stay at the lodge two days prior to the coup de tar.
The president was scheduled to go to Nyeri to open the annual Agricultural Show of Kenya (ASK), after which he would spend the night at the lodge. However, just before leaving State House Nairobi, Moi pulled him aside and whispered the new directives to him.
“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.
Musila explained that the decision by Moi was informed by fears of likely security breaches that would have put the Head of State's life in danger.
2008: Kibaki and Raila
Just like his predecessor, retired President, Mwai Kibaki, had mixed feelings about Sagana State Lodge. In fact, Kibaki took the long journey back to State House in Nairobi, where he preferred to spend a night, whenever he was on duty out of town.
However, during the early days of his second term in power, the former president retreated to the lodge for a noble cause.
In the wake of the 2007/2008 post-election skirmishes, Kibaki and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga camped at the facility after they agreed to form government in a power-sharing deal.
It was during this meeting that Kibaki and Raila constituted the Cabinet under the Grand Coalition government. The two shared the 36 ministerial positions equally (18 per side) and created two additional slots of Deputy Prime Minister. The slots were held by Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi.
Uhuru Kenyatta
The Head of State has frequented the lodge and has even used it for official duty including holding meetings with his cabinet and leaders. He also hosted his Somalia Counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for a two-day visit in 2013.
The current Sports CS, Amina Mohammed, was sworn in as the Foreign Affairs boss in 2013 at the lodge
In the meeting dubbed Sagana 2 on January 29, 2021, Uhuru responded to attacks by a section of politicians who accused him of betraying Deputy President, William Ruto.
While addressing Members of County Assembly (MCAs) at the lodge, the President noted that he had not, at any point in time, stated that he will not back DP Rut0. He affirmed that he will support the DP for ten years as stated in their pre-election pact.
"I have never said I will not support William Ruto, why do you keep insulting me? Yes, I said kumi kumi, yangu kumi iliisha lini? (I am to serve my two terms and then he serves his two terms. But has my term ended?" he posed.
However, political pundits have opined that this stance is most likely to change in his announcement after the Sagana 3 meeting scheduled for February 23.
