[State House of Kenya in Nairobi. Photo/Standard]
A Kiambu based businessman secured an appointment with retired President Daniel Moi, recalls veteran Journalist Kamau Ngotho in his Memories from the Beat memoir.
In 90s, Kiarie wa Mbugua, an entrepreneur faced risk of losing his land tittle deeds and sought assistance from Moi.
Having secured, Ngotho explains, Mbugua made entry to State House with a brief case loaded with logbooks, tittle deeds and apparently a pistol to prove that he owned the alleged grabbed land.
According to Ex-Police Commissioner Bernard Hinga, Ngotho adds, Moi almost chocked on his coffee after finding that Mbugua was armed with a pistol.
Feeling threatened, Moi hurriedly concluded the meeting and promised that he'd have the police stop harassing him.
But outside the State House, unknowingly what awaited him, Ngotho recalls, Mbugua was 'airlifted' by dozens of presidential guard and caged in a secluded room.
Also, his vehicle was towed and searched by bomb experts, but he managed to argue his case and secured his release after he was found not to be in possession of ammunition.