Last week, Kenya marked 41st anniversary of founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's death, with the family, through his son and President Uhuru Kenyatta suspending state functions in his honour.
After ascending to power in 1963, Kenyatta became a darling to the West due to his philosophy, contrary to his Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who was viewed as a radical.
But despite the comradae, the British had concerns about his health since he was suffering from angina and demensia, conditions which bolstered behind the scenes succession politics.
Nobody knew exactly when he was born. Kenyatta himself, during his trial in 1952 on allegations of managing the Mau Mau, told the judge: “I do not know when I was born, what date, what month, or what year — but I think I am over 50.”
Thirteen years later, in a letter to the Royal Mint, he said his 75th birthday would be in 1966, meaning he was born in 1891.
A secret telegram whose details was revealed, Kenyatta had intended to retire to Gatundu in 1965 due to his failing health and fitness to lead.
According to the telegram, he had already informed Dr Apollo Milton Obote of Uganda and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania about his intentions on August 20, 1965, and the matter was to be discussed further at a meeting that was to be held on August 31 of the same year.
After his resignation, the telegram, which would later emerge that originated from Tom Mboya, Kenyatta was to hand over to his nephew and President Uhuru Kenyatta's cousin, Dr Njoroge Mungai.
Having served as Health Minister, the British trained doctor and Kenyatta's personal physician, was appointed to the powerful Interior and Defense ministry.
“It is worth noting that both Odinga and Bildad Kaggia are not 100 per cent fit. Odinga suffers from diabetes, Kaggia from ulcers," the British had said, ruling our Oginga Odinga.
Although Dr Mungai did not succeed his uncle, he played a key role in his government until his death in 1978. In succession battle, he's mentioned as one of people who tried to black Daniel Moi from taking over.
The two were not best friends and the British tried to force them to work together, during the planning of Kenyatta's funeral, a decade to actual death.
Charles Njonjo, then powerful Attorney General, helped Moi to overcome the Kiambu mafia, that also brought in Kenyatta's brother- brother-in-law and minister of State Mbiyu Koinange.
Dr Mungai died in 2014 aged 88. He is on record for excluding his wife, Lilian Mungai from his will, following their tussle for property which started in 90s.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to retire in 2022, with no member of his family ready to carry on with national politics. One of his cousin, Beth Mugo, is a nominated senator.