It has emerged that founding father, the late Jomo Kenyatta never carried his 'bakora' (walking stick) for walking aid but for a very interesting reason.

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The habit, instead, resulted from his hate for dogs, prompting him to walk with the stick so that he could scare any that crossed his path as he went about his operations.

This he told his Social Secretary Elizabeth Mumbi on several occasions, according to the Standard.

At one point he did his best to not punish a dog pet which had accompanied his guest, Ethiopian Emperor Haille Selassie, who came visiting.

That was in June 1964, when he strived to hold his urge to unleash a beating on Lulu, the dog, as it strolled the flower bushes of State House as he engaged his guest.

The ageing Kenyatta, however, due to the respect he had for the Ethiopian ruler had to calm down and painfully watch the little canine step on his carefully manicured flower beds.

This happened in the full glare of James Mwaura, the head gardener who knew that not even Kenyatta's ministers would freely roam his flower garden.

Actually, the privilege only went to the President'st's closes friends and allies, including the likes of then-Attorney General Charles Njonjo. 

Kenyatta would even carry the 'bakora' when he went basking in the sandy beaches of the coast, hoping to get some 'stray' dog to settle his anger on.

However, this was a President who was always surrounded by armed bodyguards, raising the question on whether he ever had the pleasure to beat any as the guards obviously cleared the way.

#historynow