Product Description

The Courage, Power and Intrigues that Shaped Kenya’s Post -Colonial History by Sharad Rao, EBS. An Autobiography. Mr Rao's book, published by Free Press Publishers Limited, chronicles some of the conflicts that defined post-colonial Kenya, and he argues that Kenya was never sympathetic to Indians who were evicted from Uganda by Idi Amin's administration. "The expulsion seemed to have the support, or at least sympathy, of Daniel arap Moi who was then the Vice President in Kenyatta's government. Moi refused the Ugandan Asians even a temporary stay in Kenya to recuperate and was reported to have said “no, no they will swallow this place.” The book adds new layers to the key moments in Kenya's history as Mr Rao interacted extensively with the country's first three presidents and held key positions in the Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi administrations. He has served under the government in some capacity in all but President William Ruto's administration. Through Mr Rao, the reader gets glimpses of Jomo's temper, through - among others - the day he witnessed Jomo running after two Britons at State House while carrying a walking stick. Apparently, he wanted to beat them up because they presented a document for him to sign without following the procedure. Did you know what made Jomo ban the use of the title "president" for any leadership position in Kenya except that of the commander-in-chief? Mr Rao has the story. He was working at the State Law Office when it that happened "The President had gone to open the annual trade show (then called the Agricultural show) that was organised by the Agriculture Society of Kenya. The society's president then was a European settler, a huge man and with big sideburns. He greeted the President saying, 'One President greets another.' Kenyatta didn't take kindly to the remark. He said Kenya had only one President. From then on, he ordered Presidents of all societies, associations and clubs to be called Chairmen."

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