A story is told about founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, his hate for dogs and Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie's tour of Kenya in June 1964.
On this day, Kenyatta who was hosting Selassie at the Nairobi state house was forced to calmly watch as the visiting leader's dog strolled his beloved statehouse flower garden.
Its worth noting that so sacred was the garden to the old man that only him, Attorney General Charles Njonjo and head gardener James Mwaura were allowed to explore it.
But on this day, Lulu, the dog, broke the protocol and ran ahead as as Kenyatta took its master on a walk at the garden, and Kenyatta was not happy.
So angry was the president that he was tempted to whack some sense into the dog, but restrained himself since its master, whom he greatly respected, was around.
Mwaura watched amused as the three strolled the garden, well aware what it meant to Kenyatta who would take a walk there to calm himself whenever he felt stressed, sleepy or tired.
The old man's hate for dogs was not a secret, as he had repeatedly told his Social Secretary Elizabeth Mumbi that they are the reasons he always carried his walking stick.
The plan was to whip any dog that dared cross his path, a hate that he developed during his stay in Britain where he had to deal with many stray canines.
Its from this garden that Kenyatta would pick beautiful rose buds for his lapel whenever he had a meeting, and six would be picked everyday for his coat.
"Every day, I would select six of the very best rose buds and put them in a glass of water. Mumbi would bring them to Mzee so he could select his favourite for the day for his coat lapel (boutonniere).
Even when Mzee was travelling I would treat some (roses) so that they would stay fresh," says Mwaura in Mumbi's memoirs "Miss Uhuru 1963: Working for Mzee Jomo Kenyatta".