General Joseph Ndolo, the first Kenyan Chief of General Staff (CGS), was not just a military leader but also the mastermind behind a daring coup plot against President Jomo Kenyatta in 1971. The plan was audacious: to assassinate Kenyatta and install Chief Justice Kitili Mwendwa, Kenya’s first indigenous Chief Justice, as the new president. This coup was to be executed on a day Kenyatta was to flag off the East African Safari Rally outside the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
The plot was thick with betrayal and subterfuge. Ndolo, once a hero celebrated for his service, had become disenchanted with the government’s tribal favoritism in military promotions and the political atmosphere. His discontent was not just personal but reflected broader tensions within the military and political spheres.
However, the conspiracy was unearthed before it could unfold, thanks to a drunken slip by an officer in London, whose loose tongue alerted British intelligence. They swiftly informed Kenyan authorities, thereby nipping the rebellion in the bud.
Kenyatta’s initial reaction was fierce; he wanted Ndolo court-martialed and executed for treason. Yet, cooler heads prevailed, advising him that arresting Ndolo could ignite further unrest. The notion of sending junior officers to apprehend their superior was fraught with the risk of mutiny, given Ndolo’s strong base of support among the troops.
Faced with these realities, Kenyatta opted for a strategic retreat. Instead of a public disgrace, Ndolo was allowed to retire honorably, which saved face for both the government and the military. This decision, however, had lasting implications. The military underwent a significant restructuring, ensuring that no single figure could again command the loyalty of all three branches – the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The CGS’s influence was confined to their own branch, preventing another potential coup from within.
Kitili Mwendwa, after a brief arrest, was released. His fate, however, took a dark turn years later. He met his end in what many speculate was a mysterious car accident, adding to the lore of political intrigue that surrounded his and Ndolo’s lives. This incident has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, leaving many to wonder if it was merely an accident or something more sinister.
