In his book "Forward to Freedom", founding father Jomo Kenyatta's lawyer Fitz De Souza reveals the unknown side of founding Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
He describes Odinga as a man who was already rich before independence, and even established a bus service company from Kisumu which he handed over to an Indian to run.
Fitz, a Goan, says that Odinga, then a close buddy of Kenyatta, was not the stingy type and was always ready to share with people, and also strived to see people make wealth.
He describes Jaramogi as a socialist and an affectionate man whose warm heart made him love all the people around him.
“Odinga was warm-hearted and affectionate, and more of a humorist than a socialist, I would say. He loved people, helped them in whatever way he could, and had nothing against money, seeing the creation of wealth as a way forward.” he says.
And though he chose to remain a traditional man at a time when other people of his class were embracing European clothing, says Fitz, Oginga did not shy away from showing off.
But at the same time he describes him as an emotional man who poured his whole heart out when talking, and did it with great vigour when be got the oppotunity.
“I think he was keen on everyone having a better life all round. As leaders do, he liked to show himself off but didn’t seem vain, preferring traditional African dress rather than, like some, the most expensive modern suits and shoes. Odinga’s only real flaw was a tendency to lose his head and speak too strongly and emotionally.” he adds.
After participating in the push for freedom, Jaramogi was picked to deputize Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in 1963, before their fallout and his resignation in 1966.
This was followed by a series of political assaults from Kenyatta's government, including political bans. Oginga died in Kisumu in early 1994.