Kenya's founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's affection for the coastal region was not a secret. He would spend countless vacations in the region as he took time to relax and interact with the locals.
His trips to the Coast were climaxed by a visit to Bomani village, South Coast where the locals would receive him with song and dance.
According to the Presidential Library, Museum and Exhibitions, Mzee's trips usually began at the Mombasa State House and his first stop would be in Waa Location to meet his friend Abdalla Bambaulo, a school teacher who was his staunch supporter.
Bambaulo was a devoted supporter of the KANU, the ruling party then led by Mzee Kenyatta. During the days when KADU was the popular party in the coastal region, Mzee Bambaulo chose to go with the unpopular opinion and joined KANU.
The President would then proceed to attend official functions such as Harambees that were on his itinerary before being hosted to a lunch of coastal delicacies. The lunch was usually organised by the local leadership.
President Kenyatta's convoy would then proceed to the South Coast and his final stop at Bomani Primary School. This was the climax of Mzee Kenyatta’s trip.
He would head to his favourite sitting place which was under a huge mango tree at the centre of the school where people came to greet him and Digo dancers entertained him and his retinue.
"Mzee Kenyatta loved this place. He loved the traditional songs, dances and choirs. He used to visit in August and December and also during the month of Ramadan," the Presidential Library, Museum and Exhibitions, quoted former Msambweni MP, Kassim Mwamzandi.
"During his visits, Mzee Kenyatta was very respectful and never entertained gossip from any leader, not even from those senior ministers who were very close to him and were part of his entourage," Mwamzandi recalled as he reminisced about his friendship with Kenya's first President.
After the death of the Mzee Kenyatta, the government moved to recognize Bomani Primary School for the role it played and the institution was renamed Jomo Kenyatta Primary School.
It was later upgraded and the infrastructure expanded. In 1982 the school was unveiled by the late President Daniel Moi. The mango tree that was Mzee Kenyatta’s favourite gateway still stands to this day and is accessible to the public.
Mwamzandi also recalled that the Mwakigwena Primary School choir was also among the attractions that brought Mzee Kenyatta to Msambweni.
The Choir was given a permanent slot in the entertainment programs at all events presided over by Mzee Kenyatta at the coast.
Members of the choir, now in their 60s, recall their performances for Mzee.
