It was in 1976 when Ugandan President the late Idi Amin stood in Kampala and laid claim on Kenya's Nandi, Eldoret, Naivasha, West Pokot, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Central Nyanza, South Nyanza, Narok, Kisii, Kericho, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo, Marakwet, Nyandarua, Nandi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Tambach, Gilgil and Lake Baringo.
Amin accused Kenya of stealing Uganda's most 'fertile' lands saying that was the reason Kenya was doing well economically while Uganda was doing badly.Amin said that God was not a 'fool' to have given these fertile lands to Uganda promising to fight to get them back. Kenya's response was 'thick and fast'. President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta sent the military to Kenya’s border with Uganda, where they were greeted by large crowds in Malaba where Amin was burnt in effigy according to a publication by the Nation.Kenyatta also ordered the closure of the border which led to shortages of fuel and other commodities in Kampala.Before then, Kenyatta had given a powerful speech at Uhuru Park which is said to have had echoes of Sir Winston Churchill’s speeches to the nation when Britain faced an invasion from Adolf Hitler’s army."There are people that are envious of our independence and sovereignty. But whoever they are, black or white, I warn them that I am warlike, and we will not tolerate anyone playing about with our sovereignty. I wish to warn those who may have designs on Kenya that even if they have guns and warships we shall deal with them ruthlessly," said Kenyatta said as quoted by the Nation."Our obligation and commitment is to defend our independence and borders day and night. We are not interested in provoking anyone, but those who want to play about with Kenya must know that they will be dealt with ruthlessly. Kenya has no claims over anybody’s territory. We welcome good neighbourliness and cooperation. We shall, however, never entertain or tolerate anybody laying claims over our country, be they friend or a foe," he added.Kenyatta also called all Kenyans to rally behind the military saying that a country united had nothing to fear about. "Those who say their country extends from present borders, I advise them to go to hell and dream there. We shall have no one lay claims over our territory. We shall not give away an inch, not even a quarter of an inch! Our forces are ready and wananchi will use spears, simis, arrows, rungus or even blows and kicks to repel any threat," he warned.Amin is said to have backed down after this while Kenya also engaged in a diplomatic offensive in other African countries to ask them to urge Amin to back down on his threats.#historynow