Upon the passing of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta in August 1978, Attorney General Charles Njonjo called Inspector Simmone Wambugu, the Duty Officer of the Police Headquarters’ Operations Room in Vigilance House.
Njonjo gave him instructions to convene a Cabinet meeting in Nairobi’s State House at 11 of the clock in the morning.

They immediately got in touch with Daniel Moi, who was the vice president at the time and was headquartered in Kabarak.
Even though he could not reach him personally, he provided the bodyguard who answered the phone clear instructions concerning Kenyatta’s passing and the Cabinet meeting.
Apart for Moi, every minister had arrived by 10:45 a.m.
The ministers attempted to elect one of their own to preside over the conference since they were getting impatient, but Njonjo objected.

To make sure he had spoken to Moi, Njonjo phoned the inspector.
Together with the rest of the Cabinet, the Vice President was scheduled to be present, but he was absent. Through the receiver, Njonjo’s boisterous voice could be heard booming.
The Police Aviation Wing Commander, ACP Mathenge, was then urgently asked by Wambugu to “please take off, Sir.” I will try to find the Vice President and direct you there while you proceed to Baringo.

A helicopter was dispatched in Mathenge’s direction not long after his Cessna took flight.
Moreover, Wambugu alerted the Baringo OCPD, who went to Moi’s house only to find out that he had just left in a large group of vehicles.
Wambugu later discovered through his colleagues that Moi had been informed of Kenyatta’s passing and the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
The vice president had no confidence in Kenyatta’s friends and believed they would resort to murder if necessary to prevent him from winning the presidency.
The two aircraft that were supposed to carry Moi to Nairobi were used in a rescue effort when the OCPD launched a ground search operation.
They observed the caravan in the distance, concealed by the bushes, and the individuals ascending the valley.
In order for Mathenge to assume command of the helicopter and lead the way across the valleys, the pilots made a calculated landing.
Moi was persuaded by Mathenge to board the aircraft, after which he made a call to Wambugu at Vigilance House.
After learning that Moi had taken off, Njonjo gave the pilot strong orders to turn directly for State House rather than Wilson Airport.
Similar to Parliament, State House is a restricted area that requires prior authorization.
Wambugu informed the control towers at Wilson Airport, Eastleigh Airbase, and JKIA that a plane was due to land.
Moi was sworn in as acting president shortly after arriving in the afternoon by Chief Justice Sir James Wicks.
Main Source: https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/39644-why-moi-went-hiding-after-kenyattas-death
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