Though he is the man who gave us the call Harambee (pulling together), President Jomo Kenyatta was not 'a cheerful giver'.
In fact, Daily Nation veteran writer Kamau Ngotho describes him as the 'team captain in the bean counters club' or simply put captain of the misers' club.
Ngotho in a 2017 article says that Kenyatta never during his reign, personally preside over any fundraiser, and Sh3,000 was the largest personal donation he ever gave.
"His nephew politician Ngengi Muigai has told me of the fundraiser where Mzee Kenyatta did his very 'best'.It was a Harambee in aid of what is today the main campus of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on Thika Road," writes Ngotho.
He writes that with Kenyatta set to be the guest of honor, Muigai went out of his way to solicit donations from friends and came up with Sh100,000, which he took to Kenyatta at State House in Mombasa.
On opening the briefcase that contained the money, Ngotho documents, Kenyatta reportedly exclaimed in shock: "Young man, which bank have you robbed?“Not any, Mzee”, Mr Muigai replied, “This is the money I have collected from your friends for you to present at the Harambee.”
Kenyatta replied, "Look here young man, If I go there and say this is money from my friends, how will those who have not given you donations take it? I am their enemy?”
With that Kenyatta is said to have declined to 'touch' the money and asked Muigai to give it to Mama Ngina who would represent him at the fundraiser and say that the money was from herself and her friends.
Meanwhile, Kenyatta is said to have removed from his pocket an envelope and 'rather painfully' counted 30 Sh100 notes. The largest banknote then was Sh100.
"Add this to what you have in the briefcase and give it all to Mama Ngina. I will tell her not to mention my name anywhere," Kenyatta said.
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