Popularly known as Nyayo and was always addressed as Mtukufu Rais during his regime, retired president Daniel Arap Moi was the most feared president Kenya has ever had.
This was due to the political repression through torture in the Nyayo chambers.
The Nyayo chambers were under the lead of the brutal James Opiyo as stated by the Nyayo chambers survivors.
However, the retired president kept the chambers at the highest secrets and all that could be heard were rumors that were later exposed in 2003 after he was succeeded by retired president Mwai Kibaki.
Addressing a journalist during the arrest and detention of political activist Koigi Wa Wamwere, president Moi disputed the allegation of the existence of the torture chambers adding that those were just rumors.
“There is no political prisoner. Who told you we torture people at Nyayo house, have you been to Nyayo house yourself? It is what you are being told my gracious lady,” said the retired president.
This came after protests to have Mr. Koigi released was at the peak led by Koigi’s mother.
The protest was fruitful and he was released on 13 December 1996 due to health complications.
Even though he denied the existence of the torture chambers, the victims such as the opposition chief Raila Odinga still have a clear memory of the inhumane act and they live to tell the story.
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