Details Emerge on Who Pressured Former President Moi to Fire Jaramogi Odinga After He Called Jomo Kenyatta a “Land Grabber”

Jaramogi Odinga. Photo/Courtesy 

Historian and journalist Levin Odhiambo Opiyo has revealed a little-known chapter of Kenya’s post-independence politics, highlighting the forces behind Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s abrupt fall from favor under President Daniel arap Moi.

Following Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s death in 1978, Moi moved swiftly to consolidate his power. 

Seeking to expand his support beyond the Kiambu elite, he courted the Luo community and other marginalized groups while remaining wary of influential figures like Attorney General Charles Njonjo, who had played a key role in Moi’s rise.

In March 1980, Moi signaled a partial political rehabilitation of sidelined leaders. 

Pamela Mboya, widow of slain politician Tom Mboya, was appointed Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UN-HABITAT, marking her return to public service a decade after her husband’s assassination. 

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was also brought back into the fold as Chairman of the Cotton Lint Board, ending his political isolation since 1966.

The rapprochement was short-lived. During a speech in Taita Taveta, Jaramogi openly labeled Kenyatta a “land grabber.” 

According to Opiyo, Njonjo exerted direct pressure on Moi, leading to Jaramogi’s dismissal from the parastatal. 

The episode illustrates the delicate balancing act Moi performed—reviving political allies while managing the influence of powerful elites and protecting his own authority.