Besides being an astute politician, Kenya's first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was an accomplished businessman who had built his empire at independence.
Despite his business success, his fortunes started taking a nose dive in 80s due to political antagonism targeting his family by Daniel Moi's administration.
Mr George Wachira, a former manager at Esso Oil Company recalls a day sometimes in 1986 when Jaramogi visited his office without appointment.
The doyen of opposition politics, at that time facing financial challenges at his East Africa Specter, was seeking a business partner to secretly sell gas cylinders.
"After introducing himself he apologised for coming without notice, explaining that he doubted I would have accepted to give him an appointment considering the state of political fear in the country," recalls Wachira.
"He had, however, heard that I was a reasonable person, and he judged that once he was in my office, I would give him a fair business hearing."
The former Vice President requested Esso to purchase gas cylinders from his company, which at that time was under Special Branch surveillance.
"I replied that Esso had a demand for cylinders and we would give his request a serious consideration. However, he should let his commercial manager deal with us from then on," Wachira noted.
When the first batch of cylinders was delivered, the EAS commercial manager came into my office sent by Jaramogi. The government banks had cancelled EAS credit facilities leaving the company with meagre working capital.
“Mzee says that since you have already decided to walk with us, can you assist further and alter payment terms from 30 days to payment on delivery” was the request which got my CEO approval.
Six years later, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga led Kenyans into successful repealing of Section 2A, which saw the rebirth of multiparty democracy in Kenya.
In 1994, Jaramogi died and was replaced in Parliament as leader of opposition by Kijana Wamalwa, who assumed the leadership of Ford Kenya.