This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.
July 7, 1969, marked a somber day in Kenya's history as the nation mourned the assassination of Tom Mboya, the Minister for Economic Planning. Fifty years later, the events that unfolded in the aftermath of his death serve as a poignant reminder of the country's fragile ethnic balance.
As the news of Mboya's assassination spread, ethnic clashes erupted throughout the country, with fears of a civil war looming large. President Jomo Kenyatta convened an emergency Cabinet meeting in Gatundu to discuss funeral arrangements and the security situation.
Despite the heavy deployment of General Service Unit personnel, ethnic tensions continued to simmer. The British government had instructed its Kenyan-based troops to play an advisory role only, and to stay out of the conflict in case of a civil war.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Daniel arap Moi was stoned and forced to turn back by mourners when he arrived at Mboya's home in Nairobi's Convent Drive to pay his last respects. The police, who had been sent to guard the home, were also not spared.
Before heading to Gatundu for the Cabinet meeting, Moi warned that such incidents could lead to revenge attacks on Mboya's cortege, especially in the Rift Valley. Information Minister James Osogo echoed these sentiments, stating that transporting Mboya's body to Rusinga would be the biggest challenge.
The government's initial plan was to send the body by air to Homa Bay, but this was rejected by Mboya's family, who opted for a road journey instead. The family's decision was likely influenced by the government's plan to use six British Royal Air Force personnel attached to the Kenya Air Force to transport the body, which raised concerns about the safety of the crew.
Robert Munro, the Deputy British High Commissioner, wrote in a confidential telegram to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the RAF personnel should not be instructed not to cooperate in the task, citing concerns about the security of the British personnel after landing in Homa Bay.
Despite these concerns, the government's plan was ultimately rejected by Mboya's family. The body was transported by road, with the cortege facing numerous challenges along the way, including stonings and injuries to the widow and the late minister's brother.
As the cortege made its way to Rusinga, thousands of Kenyans stood under their umbrellas in heavy rain to bid Mboya farewell. The body arrived in Kisumu in the evening, where an estimated crowd of 100,000 had been waiting all day in high temperatures. However, the crowds were disappointed when the body only stayed for a short time, leading to riots and the firing of tear gas by police.
On July 11, 1969, Mboya was finally laid to rest in a blend of traditional and Catholic rites, surrounded by his political friends and enemies. The event was marked by a sense of unease, with the police advising Cabinet ministers to use a helicopter to avoid being attacked.
