12/08/2025
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On April 9, 1983 years, 40 ago at the launch of Kanu's national daily newspaper, The Kenya Times, the then ruling party Kanu national chairman stood up made a fiery speech in support of Preseident Moi and KANU.
That politician was David Okiki Amayo chairman of KANU.
Amayo was the brother ironically to diplomat, Ambassador Lazarus Amayo.
As the Kasipu resident mourn the death of their MP Charles Ong'ondo Were, let's remember another of their son, David Okiyi Amayo.
David Okiki Amayo was born in 1929 in Karachuonyo in now Homabay County, then promonetly called South Nyanza. He was a prominent Kenyan politician known for his influential role during the single-party era under President Daniel arap Moi.
While specific details about Amayo's early education are not readily available his political prominence suggests he was well-educated and actively engaged in public affairs.
Amayo's political journey was closely tied to the Kenya African National Union (KANU), the ruling party during his time.
He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Karachuonyo Constituency in 1969 and re-elected in 1974. However, he lost the seat in 1979 and again in 1983 to Phoebe Asiyo.
However, thanks to his prowess as a court-jester, President Daniel arap Moi retrieved him from the political dustbin.
In 1988, he reclaimed the seat, serving until his death in 1989.
Beyond his parliamentary role, Amayo held significant positions within KANU. He served as the national chairman of the party and was appointed chair of the KANU National Disciplinary Committee in 1985.
This committee was responsible for handling internal party disciplinary matters. Under his leadership, the committee became known for its strict enforcement of party loyalty, often expelling members for perceived disloyalty or dissent.
His methods, especially as chair of the disciplinary committee, were controversial and have been the subject of discussions regarding political intolerance during Kenya's single-party era.
The KANU Disciplinary Committee was really dreaded by politicians in Daniel T. arap Moi's Kenya, and politicians in Daniel T. arap Moi's Kenya probably dreaded the KANU Disciplinary Committee more than they dreaded the Directorate of Security Intelligence (DSI) i.e. "Special Branch."
If a Kenyan politician back then appeared before David Okiki Amayo's dreaded KANU Disciplinary Committee and was found guilty of an offence, then he or she was either suspended or expelled from KANU, and he or she automatically lost their parliamentary seat or their civic seat, because KANU was the only political party in Kenya in those days, and even in the case of suspensions, suspensions were usually for 90 day periods, which exceeded the duration of time that Members of Parliament or Councillors were allowed to be inactive in law.
Before Okiyi Amayo even, cabinet ministers and members of parliament wept.
One such politicians was Assistant minister Nahashon Njuno, from Kirinyaga. Njuno accusation that he never raised his hand high enough when saying 'nyayo juu, juu, juu zaidi' which was salutary welcome for the president when on country-side tours.
On recommendations from Amayo committee, Njuno was expelled from Kanu, which meant automatic loss of his parliamentary seat and assistant minister's job.
The other one was Nyandarua MP, Kimani wa Nyoike. His sin was that school children had sang for him the tune 'Tawala Kenya tawala...' which the committee said was "exclusively reserved for His Excellency the President". The committee observed that immediately the choir began singing, the assistant minister should have jumped from his seat, grabbed the microphone and ordered them to stop the 'blasphemy' on the person of the Head of State!
Former Nakuru West MP Njenga Mungai also had his day before Amayo's court where he was accused of 'gross misconduct and show of disrespect' in declining to slaughter a goat for then Nakuru Kanu boss Kariuki Chotara when he visited his constituency.
Okiki became so powerful that even Moi who had appointed him felt threatened and decided to disband the committee all together.
βIf you give a person power and money, he forgets his limits of authorit,β Moi had said.
The KANU Disciplinary Committee was disbanded around the year 1989, and just as well it had began being used to settle vendettas & personal differences. It was bad i.e it is said that politicians many a time went on their knees, even shedding tears, as they pleaded with the KANU Disciplinary Committee for mercy when they had either been suspended or expelled.
KANU enforcer belonged to the now extinct species of Kenyan politicians whom anthropologists would give a name close to 'homo dictatus-sycophanticus' - that is a human being inflicted with dictatorial tendencies but at the same time a boot-licking sycophant. Such traits Amayo shared with another cantankerous Kenyatta era politician called Kihika Kimani, father of current Nakuru governor, Sunsan Kihika, Sharing Nasir aka the Bokasa Mombasani, until his wings were clipped, former DP Rigathi Gachagua also belong to this group.
Had David Amayo been alive today, he would find a good comrade in current Homabay town MP Peter Opondo who is increasingly fighting to join the 'Homo dictatus-sycophanticus' species. Written by Qalitos
