According to a Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission report, a former assistant of Jaramogi Oginga, Edwin Radier, gave a testimony of why the late Jaramogi bought Kibaki his first car.
According to the former Kisumu Municipal councilor, Mr. Radier, Jaramogi Oginga was doing so as per the advice of various Kikuyu elders who had identified Kibaki as a potential political leader from the central region.
By then Kibaki was a tutor at the Makere University.
Radier said, Mr. Oginga initiated talks with Kibaki and also promised him to be the Kanu Executive officer.
This move by Mr. Oginga was because he wanted elites to help in the formation of government since the country was heading for independence.
He told TJRC that at first Mr. Kibaki was hesitant since he had only three months to be confirmed as lecturer. But Mr. Oginga convinced him that he would be able to get a loan and buy him a car.
"But in turn Odinga told him 'I will buy you a car. Come to my office in Nairobi'," Mr. Radier told the TJRC.
He said after a fortnight Mr. Kibaki showed up at Mr. Odinga's office in Nairobi upon which Mr. Radier was sent to go pay for Mr. Kibaki's new car.
"I was given Sh. 9,500 to go to Marshalls where I paid for the Peugeot saloon car for Kibaki. Odinga also rented for Kibaki a house in Bahati and paid him an allowance of sh 700 to maintain the car for six months," he added.
He reveals that Jaramogi chose Kibaki with intention that he would popularise the party and as well mobilise the Kikuyu to join in.
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